Nonlinear viscoelasticity and stress‐softening behavior of chloroprene rubber reinforced by multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The viscoelasticity and stress‐softening behavior of chloroprene rubber (CR) filled with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐COOH) were studied using a Rubber Process Analyzer 2000 (RPA2000). In the strain sweep measurements, it is found that CR/MWCNT and CR/MWCNT‐COOH compounds have different behavior on storage modulus (G′). With increasing strain, G′ of CR/MWCNT (100/8) compound decreases at strain less than 2°, while G′ of CR/MWCNT‐COOH (100/8) compound stays at constant, indicating that MWCNT‐COOH has stronger filler–filler network and filler–rubber interactions as compared to MWCNT in CR matrix. CR/MWCNT (MWCNT‐COOH) vulcanizates have higher G′ but lower loss modulus (G″) than the corresponding uncured compounds. Repeated strain sweep scans were carried out to study the stress‐softening behavior of CR compounds. A stress‐softening effect of the filled CR compounds is observed and becomes more pronounced with increasing loading of MWCNT or MWCNT‐COOH. The correlation between the Payne effect and stress‐softening effect of CR/MWCNT (MWCNT‐COOH) vulcanizates is also studied. It is found that the difference of the storage moduli at 0.1° and 10° strain amplitudes and the difference of storage moduli of first and second strain sweeps at 0.1° strain amplitude show a positive linear correlation. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:2194–2202, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes as effective reinforcement and thermal stability agents of poly(lactic acid) ligaments

In this study, nanocomposites of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) containing 0.5, 1, and 2.5 wt % oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT–COOHs) were prepared by the solved evaporation method. From transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy micrographs, we observed that the MWCNT–COOHs were well dispersed in the PLA matrix and, additionally, there was increased adhesion between PLA and the nanotubes. As a result, all of the studied nanocomposites exhibited higher mechanical properties than neat PLA; this indicated that the MWCNT–COOHs acted as efficient reinforcing agents, whereas in the nonoxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes, the mechanical properties were reduced. Nanotubes can act as nucleating agents and, thereby, affect the thermal properties of PLA and, especially, the crystallization rate, which is faster than that of neat PLA. From the thermogravimetric data, we observed that the PLA/MWCNT–COOH nanocomposites presented relatively better thermostability than PLA; this was also verified from the calculation of activation energy. On the contrary, the addition of MWCNT–COOH had a negative effect on the enzymatic hydrolysis rate of PLA. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Modelling of adsorption of nickel (II) by blend hydrogels (cellulose nanocrystals and corn starch) from aqueous solution using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) and artificial neural networks (ANN)

The current study looks at the effectiveness of the removal of nickel (II) from aqueous solution using an adsorption method in a laboratory-size reactor. An artificial neural network (ANN) and an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) were used in this study to predict blend hydrogels adsorption potential in the removal of nickel (II) from aqueous solution. Four operational variables, including initial Ni (II) concentration (mg/L), pH, contact duration (min), and adsorbent dose (mg/L), were used as an input with removal percentage (%) as the only output; they were studied to assess their impact on the adsorption study in the ANFIS model. In contrast, 70% of the data was used for training, while 15% of the data was used in testing and validation to build the ANN model. Feedforward propagation with the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm was employed to train the network. The use of ANN and ANFIS models for experiments was used to optimize, construct, and develop prediction models for Ni (II) adsorption using blend hydrogels. The adsorption isotherm and kinetic models were also used to describe the process. The results show that ANN and ANFIS models are promising prediction approaches that can be applied to successfully predict metal ions adsorption. According to this finding, the root mean square errors (RMSE), absolute average relative errors (AARE), average relative errors (ARE), mean squared deviation (MSE), and R² for Ni (II) in the training dataset were 0.061, 0.078, 0.017, 0.019, and 0.986, respectively, for ANN. In the ANFIS model, the RMSE, AARE, ARE, MSE, and R² were 0.0129, 0.0119, 0.028, 0.030, and 0.995, respectively. The adsorption process was spontaneous and well explained by the Langmuir model, and chemisorption was the primary control. The morphology, functional groups, thermal characteristics, and crystallinity of blend hydrogels were all assessed.     

Batch foaming of carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotube/poly(ether imide) nanocomposites: The influence of the carbon nanotube aspect ratio on the cellular morphology

A series of microcellular poly(ether imide) (PEI) foams and nanocellular carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT‐COOH)/PEI foams were prepared by the batch foaming method. MWCNT‐COOHs with different aspect ratios were introduced into the PEI matrix as heterogeneous nucleation agents to improve the cell morphology of the microcellular PEI foams. The effect of the aspect ratio of the MWCNT‐COOHs on the cellular morphology, and gas diffusion is discussed. The results show that with the addition of MWCNT‐COOH, the sorption curve showed a slight reduction of carbon dioxide solubility, but the gas diffusion rate could be improved. The proper aspect ratio of MWCNT‐COOH could improve the cellular morphology under the same foaming conditions, in which m‐MWCNT‐COOH (aspect ratio ≈ 1333) was the best heterogeneous nucleation agent. When the foaming temperature was 170°C, the cell size and cell density of nanocellular m‐MWCNT‐COOH reduced to 180 nm and increased to 1.58 × 10¹³ cells/cm³, respectively. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42325.     

Encapsulation of palladium nanoparticles by multiwall carbon nanotubes‐graft‐poly(citric acid) hybrid materials

Citric acid was polymerized onto the surface of functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐COOH) and MWCNT‐graft‐poly(citric acid) (MWCNT‐g‐PCA) hybrid materials were obtained. Due to the grafted poly(citric acid) branches, MWCNT‐g‐PCA hybrid materials not only were soluble in water but also were able to trap water soluble metal ions. Reduction of trapped metal ions in the polymeric shell of MWCNT‐g‐PCA hybrid materials by reducing agents such as sodium borohydride led to encapsulated metal nanoparticles on the surface of MWCNT. Herein palladium nanoparticles were encapsulated and transported by MWCNT‐g‐PCA hybrid materials (MWCNT‐g‐PCA‐EPN) and their application as nanocatalyst toward Heck reaction in different conditions was investigated. The catalytic activity of palladium ions supported by MWCNT‐g‐PCA hybrid materials (MWCNT‐g‐PCA‐PdCl₂) toward Heck reactions is much more than for MWCNT‐g‐PCA‐EPN. Structure, characteristics and catalytic activity of synthesized systems was investigated using spectroscopy and microscopy methods. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Adsorption of chromium (VI) on functionalized and non-functionalized carbon nanotubes

We did a comparative study on the adsorption capacity of Cr (VI) between functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and non-functionalized CNTs. The statistical analysis reveals that the optimum conditions for the highest removal of Cr (VI) are at pH 9, with dosage 0.1 gram, agitation speed and time of 120 rpm and 120 minutes, respectively. For the initial concentration of 1.0 mg/l, the removal efficiency of Cr (VI) using functionalized CNTs was 87.6% and 83% of non-functionalized CNTs. The maximum adsorption capacities of functionalized and non-functionalized CNTs were 2.517 and 2.49 mg/g, respectively. Langmuir and Freundlich models were adopted to study the adsorption isotherm, which provided a K _L and K _F value of 1.217 L/mg and 18.14 mg^1?n L ⁿ /g functionalized CNT, while 2.365 L/mg and 2.307 mg^1?n L ⁿ /g for non-functionalized CNTs. This result proves that functionalized CNTs are a better adsorbent with a higher adsorption capacity compared with the non-functionalized CNTs.     

The adsorption of malachite green (MG) as a cationic dye onto functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes

Synthetic dyes are widely used by several industries to color their products. The discharge of colored wastewater into the hydrosphere causes serious environmental problems. We used functionalized multi wall carbon nanotubes as an adsorbent for the adsorption of cationic dye, malachite green, from aqueous solution. Based on information provided by the Iranian Research Institute of Petroleum Industry, carbon nanotubes are produced using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique. These as-received MWCNTs were functionalized by acid treatment. The remaining dye concentration was read by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy at maximum adsorption wavelength. The effect of different operational parameters such as contact time, pH of solution, adsorbent dose and initial dye concentration were studied. The results showed that by increasing of contact time, pH and adsorbent dose the removal of dye increased, but by increasing initial dye concentration, the removal efficiency decreased. Adsorption isotherms and kinetics behavior of f-MWCNTs for removal of malachite green was analyzed, and fitted to various existing models. The experimental data were well correlated with the Langmuir isotherm with a maximum adsorption capacity (q _m ) and regression coefficient (R²) of 142.85 mg/g and 0.997, respectively. The results of this study indicate that functionalized multi wall carbon nanotubes can be used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of dyes.     

Functionalization of carbon nanotubes with (3‐glycidyloxypropyl)‐trimethoxysilane: Effect of wrapping on epoxy matrix nanocomposites

In this work, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), after previous oxidation, are functionalized with excess (3‐glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GLYMO) and used as reinforcement in epoxy matrix nanocomposites. Infrared, Raman, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies confirm the silanization of the MWCNT, while transmission electron microscopy images show that oxidized nanotubes presented less entanglement than pristine and silanized MWCNT. Thickening of the nanotubes is also observed after silanization, suggesting that the MWCNT are wrapped by siloxane chains. Field‐emission scanning electron microscopy reveals that oxidized nanotubes are better dispersed in the matrix, providing nanocomposites with better mechanical properties than those reinforced with pristine and silanized MWCNT. On the other hand, the glass transition temperature of the nanocomposite with 0.05 wt % MWCNT‐GLYMO increased by 14 °C compared to the neat epoxy resin, suggesting a strong matrix–nanotube adhesion. The functionalization of nanotubes using an excess amount of silane can thus favor the formation of an organosiloxane coating on the MWCNT, preventing its dispersion and contributing to poor mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44245.     

Comparison of removal of bromothymol blue from aqueous solution by multiwalled carbon nanotube and Zn(OH)2 nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon: A thermodynamic study

In this research Zn(OH)₂ nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (Zn(OH)₂-NPs-AC) as novel adsorbent and raw multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) were applied for efficient removal of bromothymol blue (BTB). Both adsorbent has been characterized with different techniques such and SEM, XRD and UV–vis spectrometry. Their size was less than 100 nm. In the removal process the variables are pH, temperature, concentration of BTB, amount of adsorbent and contact time that their influence on removal of BTB was optimized using one at a time approach in batch procedure. Adsorptions of BTB on bath adsorbent depend highly on pH. Following the investigation of temperature effect, the thermodynamic parameters including change in entropy, enthalpy and free Gibbs energy were calculated. For both adsorbents, positive value of enthalpy and negative value of ΔG⁰ show routine feasibility of adsorption using energy. At optimum value of variables, the removal processes onto both adsorbent have high adsorption capacity for best fitting model Langmuir, i.e. for Zn(OH)2-NP-AC and 150 mg/g for PAC. The adsorption rates were well explained with pseudo second order and interparticle diffusion model. It is expected that there could an increase in the number of reactive sites due to their expected high volume, pore size and high surface area.     

Enhancement of dispersion of carbon nanotube and physical properties of poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile)/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposite via surface initiated ATRP

Dispersion behavior of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), rheological and mechanical properties of various MWCNT/poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (SAN) nanocomposites were investigated. MWCNT/SAN nanocomposites were prepared by three different methods; MWCNT/SAN melt blending, MWCNT/SAN in situ atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and functionalized‐MWCNT/SAN in situ ATRP. Formation of SAN onto the surface of MWCNT and the molecular weight of grafted‐SAN were confirmed by fourier transform infrared spectra, ¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR. Crossover frequency of storage and loss modulus from rheological measurement and dynamic mechanical analysis showed that functionalized MWCNT/SAN in situ ATRP nanocomposite showed more uniform dispersion of MWCNT. Improved mechanical and electrical properties were observed for functionalized MWCNT/SAN in situ ATRP nanocomposite. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Influence of chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes on their dispersibility in alkyl methacrylate polymer matrix

Nanocomposites based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐octadecyl methacrylate) (M/O) matrices and four different types of multiwall carbon nanotubes: pristine, oxidized (MWCNT–COOH), methyl ester (MWCNT–COOCH₃), and dodecyl ester (MWCNT–COOC₁₂H₂₅) functionalized, were prepared in situ by radical (co)polymerization. The effectiveness of preparation of nanocomposites regarding dispersion and distribution of various MWCNT in polymer matrices was sized by Scanning electron microscopy. In case of PMMA matrix, the best dispersion and distribution were accomplished for MWCNT–COOCH₃ due to their chemical resemblance with polymer matrix. After the introduction of 10 mol % of octadecyl methacrylate in polymer matrix a fairly good dispersion and distribution of MWCNT–COOCH₃ were retained. The addition of 1 wt % of MWCNTs caused a significant reduction in the degree of polymerization of the PMMA matrix. But at the same time, the present MWCNTs increased storage modulus of PMMA nanocomposites except for dodecyl ester functionalized MWCNT. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46113.     

The study of thermodynamics and kinetics methyl orange and malachite green by SWCNTs,SWCNT-COOH and SWCNT-NH2 as adsorbents from aqueous solution

The effective removal of dyes from aqueous wastes is among the most important issues for many industrialized countries. Removal of methyl orange (MO) and malachite green (MG) from aqueous solutions were studied using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), carboxylate functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT-COOH) and amide functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT-NH₂). The adsorption process was found to be controlled by temperature, ionic strength, initial concentration, adsorbent dosage and contact time. The microstructure of carbon nanotubes was characterized using SEM and FTIR. The adsorbents studied exhibits high efficiency for MO and MG adsorption and the equilibrium states could be achieved in 20, 20, 15 (min) for SWCNTs, SWCNT-COOH, SWCNT-NH₂, respectively. Adsorption capacity of each adsorbent increased with increasing active groups on the surface of carbon nanotube, where SWCNT-NH₂ was the most effectively adsorbent.     

In Situ Polymerized Poly(Amide Imide)/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Composite: Structural,Mechanical, and Electrical Studies

Poly(amide imide)/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites were in situ polymerized through Yamazaki–Higashi phosphorylation method, and the carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes are added in the post-reaction stage. The good dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the poly(amide imide) matrix was achieved even at 20?wt% nanotube loading. The electrical conductivity reached 33?S?m^?1; meanwhile, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus were 106MPa and 2.52?GPa, respectively. These excellent properties were contributed to the good dispersion of nanotubes and strong multiwalled carbon nanotubes–poly(amide imide) interfacial adhesions. We also demonstrate that the incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes depressed the crystallization characteristics of poly(amide imide) but improve its thermal stability.     

Effects of embedding functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes and alumina on the direct contact poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) membrane distillation performance

Flat-sheet membranes were fabricated by incorporating alumina (Al₂O₃) and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs; MWCNTs-COOH) in PVDF-co-HFP membrane via the phase-inversion method for application in membrane distillation (MD) application. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were performed on the resulting membranes to investigate the effects of functionalized MWCNTs. The results revealed that the embedding of functionalized MWCNTs led to a significant modification of the membrane characteristics, including the structural morphology, thickness, roughness, porosity, pore size, and pore size distribution. The effects of operational parameters such as the hot feed solution temperature (47–67?°C), feed flow rate (0.35–0.55?L/min), and feed concentration (0–100?g/L) on the performance of the fabricated membrane were tested using the DCMD system. The experimental results demonstrated that the permeate flux was enhanced by approximately 32.43% by using functionalized MWCNTs, reaching a value of 16.35?kg/m² h at 35?g/L feed concentration, 67?°C hot feed temperature, and 0.55?L/min feed flow rate, at the constant temperature of 20?°C and 0.35?L/min flow rate. The functionalized MWCNTs embedded within the membrane successfully modified the interactions between water and the membrane to improve the water vapor transport while inhibiting salt penetration into the pores.     

Nanocomposites based on MWCNT and polystyrene,styrene‐acrylonitrile copolymer,or polymethylmethacrylate,obtained by miniemulsion polymerization

Free radical miniemulsion polymerization of styrene (St), St/acrylonitrile 3 : 1 mixture or methylmethacrylate in the presence of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was proven as a convenient way to obtain homogenous hybrids with perspectives in associated applications like foams specialties materials. Miniemulsion polymerization was viable up to 2% wt. MWCNT to monomer, without agglomerations. The grafting on MWCNT during the polymerization occurs without the need for supplementary functionalization and the polymer grafted nanotubes showed stable dispersions in the polymer solvent. Monomer polarity affected the grafting ability during the polymerization process. The nanocomposites obtained after purification and drying were used in foaming process. MWCNT presence in the related nanocomposites decreased the pore sizes in foam‐like materials (for all three different matrices). At 1 wt % MWCNT content, low density (< 0.3 g/cm³), low pore size (< 10 μm) and high cell density (>10⁹ cell/cm³) were achieved. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41148.     

Improving tensile strength and toughness of melt processed polyamide 6/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites by in situ polymerization and filler surface functionalization

The effect of processing method and condition on the dispersion status of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and mechanical properties of the MWCNT/polyamide 6 (PA6) composites are investigated. Different melt processing conditions are used to dilute the master batch produced by melt process or in situ polymerization. Both MWCNTs and carboxyl group functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNTs‐COOH) are compounded with PA6 at different loadings (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 wt %) to study the effect of chemical modification of MWCNTs on the mechanical properties of the final composites. It is demonstrated that chemical modification of MWCNTs has a positive effect on the strength of the composites as an increase of 5–10 MPa was observed. More importantly, a near 5 MPa increase in strength and more importantly, a maximum of 138% increase in strain at break were observed for the composites produced by in situ polymerization, indicating a toughening and strengthening effect of CNT on the composites. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Effects of thermal imidization on mechanical properties of poly(amide‐co‐imide)/multiwalled carbon nanotube composite films

In this study, experimental and numerical studies were performed to investigate the relationship among the functionalization method, weight fraction of MWCNTs, thermal imidization cycle, and mechanical properties of various PAI/MWCNT composite films. Poly(amide‐co‐imide)/multiwalled carbon nanotube composite films were prepared by solution mixing and film casting. The effects of chemical functionalization and weight fraction of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on thermal imidization and mechanical properties were investigated through experimental and numerical studies. The time needed to achieve sufficient thermal imidization was reduced with increasing multiwalled carbon nanotube content when compared with that of a pure poly(amide‐co‐imide) film because multiwalled carbon nanotubes have a higher thermal conductivity than pure poly(amide‐co‐imide) resin. Mechanical properties of pure poly(amide‐co‐imide) and poly(amide‐co‐imide)/multiwalled carbon nanotube composite films were increased with increasing imidization time and were improved significantly in the case of the composite film filled with hydrogen peroxide treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Both the tensile strength and strain to failure of the multiwalled carbon nanotube filled poly(amide‐co‐imide) film were increased substantially because multiwalled carbon nanotube dispersion was improved and covalent bonding was formed between multiwalled carbon nanotubes and poly(amide‐co‐imide) molecules. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Preparation and characterization of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)‐poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate) segmented copolymer/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites by in situ polymerization

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)‐poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate) block copolymer (PTG)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites were prepared via in situ polymerization. To improve the dispersion of MWCNTs in the PTG matrix, the poly(ethylene glycol)‐grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐PEG) were produced by the “graft to” method. The transmission electron microscopy observation demonstrated that a homogeneous dispersion of MWCNT‐PEG was obtained. As a consequence, the percolation threshold for the rheology was around 0.5 wt% and the conductivity was ～1 wt%, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy results confirmed that MWCNT‐PEG can act as an effective heterogeneous nucleating agent. Interestingly, the effects of MWCNT‐PEG on crystallization and melting of the poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate) blocks were more pronounced than on those of the PTT blocks. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Multiwalled CNTs for Cr(VI) removal from industrial wastewater: An advanced study on adsorption,kinetics, thermodynamics for the comparison between the embedded and non‐embedded carboxyl group

The adsorption capabilities of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with and without the embedded carboxyl group for the removal of parts per million levels of hexavalent chromium were examined as a function of several parameters, namely contact time, pH of initial solution, initial concentration of Cr(VI), adsorbent dosage as well as temperature of solution. Adsorption isotherms have been utilized to explain the adsorption mechanism. Ion exchange, intra‐particle diffusion, and electrostatic interactions are found to be the fundamental mechanisms describing the adsorption of Cr(VI). The maximum adsorption capacities of Cr(VI) ion by raw MWCNTs and functionalized MWCNTs were found to be 84.75 and 78.13 mg · g^?1, respectively, as calculated by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. This is with regard to the electron‐rich atoms inside the functional group which repels the negatively charged dichromate ions. Kinetic studies were performed, and the data was found in good agreement with the pseudo‐second‐order.     

Thermal and mechanical behavior of poly(vinyl butyral)‐modified novolac epoxy/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites

The effects of poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) and acid‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube modification on the thermal and mechanical properties of novolac epoxy nanocomposites were investigated. The nanocomposite containing 1.5 wt % PVB and 0.1 wt % functionalized carbon nanotubes showed an increment of about 15°C in the peak degradation temperature compared to the neat novolac epoxy. The glass‐transition temperature of the novolac epoxy decreased with increasing PVB content but increased with an increase in the functionalized carbon nanotube concentration. The nanocomposites showed a lower tensile strength compared to the neat novolac epoxy; however, the elongation at break improved gradually with increasing PVB content. Maximum elongation and impact strength values of 7.4% and 17.0 kJ/m² were achieved in the nanocomposite containing 1.5 wt % PVB and 0.25 wt % functionalized carbon nanotubes. The fractured surface morphology was examined with field emission scanning electron microscopy, and correlated with the mechanical properties. The functionalized carbon nanotubes showed preferential accumulation in the PVB phase beyond 0.25 wt % loading. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43333.