In this study, an easy method is presented to prepare a polymer based multi-walled carbon nanotube
(MWNT) composite. First, MWNTs grafted to n-hexadecyl bromide (MWNTs-g-C16) were prepared using an esterification
reaction of carboxylate salt on the MWNTs’ surface and a bromine group consisting of n-hexadecyl bromide in the
presence of a phase-transfer reagent in water. Subsequently, a composite material of PVC/MWNTs-g-C16 was prepared
by melt blending with a series of dissolvable MWNTs-g-C16 aided by heat stabilizers and lubricants. Thermogravimetric
analysis of the MWNTs-g-C16 showed a weight percentage of attached alkyl chains as high as 35.77 wt%, and a
TEM image proved that the soluble MWNTs-g-C16 were well dispersed randomly in a matrix of polyvinyl chloride
(PVC). Solar-thermal conversion performances of the PVC/MWNTs-g-C16 composites were studied, and the composites
exhibited excellent light absorption properties. This property is attributed to the optical absorption characteristics of
MWNTs. The PVC/MWNTs-g-C16 composite material exhibits excellent mechanical properties, and could be used as
solar collectors or as solar anti-icing and deicing materials.
Keywords
polymer based carbon nanotubes composite, polyvinyl chloride, solar-thermal conversion