Impact of Filler Functionalisation on the Crystallinity, Thermal Stability and Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Elastomer/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites

In the present work, the functionalisation of oxidised SWCNTs and MWCNTs is studied. The functionalised fillers are characterised by Raman spectroscopy and TGA. The functionalised fillers are dispersed in a PBT‐PTMO thermoplastic elastomer matrix via in situ polymerisation. The functionalisation causes a fine filler dispersion right at beginning of nanocomposite manufacturing. The fillers act as nucleating agents for crystallisation and evidences for a grafting from PBT at the surface of the functionalised nanotubes are found. An outstanding reinforcement effect by the functionalised CNTs is confirmed by tensile tests. magnified image