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The article discusses the results of a study on the effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) on the crystallization mechanism of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) composites. The homogeneous dispersion state of MWNT as a heterogeneous nucleating agent enhanced the crystallization and nucleation efficiency of PET. The MWNT played a role as a nuclei located in the center of PET spherulites. The molecular weight of PET did not change after nucleation of PET through particle effect.

Abstract: Functionalized carbon nanotubes containing isocyanate groups can extend the nanotube chemistry, and may promote their many potential applications such as in polymer composites and coatings. This paper describes a facile method to prepare functionalized carbon nanotubes containing highly reactive isocyanate groups on its surface via the reaction between toluene 2,4-diisocyanate and carboxylated carbon nanotubes. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that reactive isocyanate groups were covalently attached to carbon nanotubes. The content of isocyanate groups were determined by chemical titration and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]