Preparation of poly(ethylene oxide) brush-grafted multiwall carbon nanotubes and their effect on morphology and mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane foam

Poly(ethylene oxide)-grafted multiwall carbon nanotubes (PEO- graft -MWCNT) were successfully prepared by a ring-opening polymerization of ethylene oxide. Thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that the amount of the grafted PEO polymer was about 40.0 wt%. Rigid polyurethane foams (PUFs) filled with MWCNTs and PEO- graft -MWCNT were also fabricated to investigate the influence of grafted PEO interfacial layer on the foaming process, morphology and mechanical properties of PUF. The results indicated that PEO- graft -MWCNT had a limited impact on the viscosity and viscoelastic properties of polyol. Meanwhile, the addition of PEO- graft -MWCNT was beneficial for decreasing the pore size of PUF. The glass transition temperature and mechanical properties of PEO- graft -MWCNT/PUF composites increase gradually with filler content, which can be attributed to the good compatibility and strong interaction between PEO- graft -MWCNT and PUF. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry