| Abstract: | In this paper, γ‐ray radiation technique was utilized to simply functionalize multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) with amino groups. The successful amino functionalization of MWCNTs (MWCNTs‐Am) was proven and the physicochemical properties of MWCNTs before and after radiation grafting modifications were characterized using FT‐IR, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicated that the γ‐ray radiation had the visible effects on the surface properties of MWCNTs. The effects of various functionalized MWCNTs on morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of an epoxy‐based nanocomposite system were investigated. Utilizing in situ polymerization, 1 wt% loading of MWCNT was used to prepare epoxy‐based nanocomposites. Compared to the neat epoxy system, nanocomposites prepared with MWCNT‐Am showed 13.0% increase in tensile strength, 20.0% increase in tensile modulus, and 24.1% increase in thermal decomposition temperature. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers |
