Synthesis of vinyl polymer/carbon nanotube nanocomposites prepared by suspension polymerization and their properties

In-situ radical polymerization technique of vinyl-type monomers in presence of carbon nanotubes (CNT) is a potential way of improvement of final polymer/CNT nanocomposites properties. The product usually shows better CNT dispersion and advanced matrix/filler interfacial properties, which very probably result from good homogeneity of monomer/ CNT dispersion achieved by applying ultrasound as mixing agent (often also during polymerization). The radicals from initiator, growing polymeric macroradicals or radicals produced in polymer degradation triggered by applied ultrasound create covalent bonds between organic molecules and carbon nanotubes surface. On the other hand, chemical/mechanical loading from ultrasound leads to significant destruction of CNT particles, mainly due to their shortening. Typical products of such suspension polymerization are microspheres with CNT material situated both on the surface and inside the spheres. The presence of CNT significantly modifies electrical properties of polymer/CNT microspheres,which find their application, among others, in electrorheology. © Scrivener Publishing LLC