Carbon nanotubes-based nanohybrids for multifunctional nanocomposites

In the present work,nano-hybrids based on carbon nanotubes (cnts) bearing immobilized,either through covalent linkage and physical absorption,commercial anti-oxidant molecules have been formulated and used as nanofillers in ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (uhmwpe),aiming at preparing multifunctional nanocomposites. the effective immobilization of the anti-oxidant molecules has been probed by spectroscopic and thermogravimetric analyses. the study of the morphology and the rheological behaviour of the nanocomposites show that the immobilization of anti-oxidant molecules onto the cnts surface is beneficial for the state of the polymer/nanoparticles interfacial region. additionally,the study of the nanocomposites thermo-oxidative behaviour reveals that the nano-hybrids are able to exert a remarkable anti-oxidant action which is related to the strong interactions established between the anti-oxidant molecules and the cnts,resulting in the formation of structural defects onto the cnts surface and in the consequent amplification of the intrinsic cnts radical scavenging activity. © 2017 king saud university