CRYSTALLIZATION, MORPHOLOGY, AND DYNAMIC MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF SUPRAMOLECULAR [60]FULLERENE-CONTAINING POLY(ETHYLENE-co-ACRYLIC ACID)

A multifunctional [60]fullerene derivative AEAF was melt-mixed with poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) (PEAA20). The strong interaction between AEAF and PEAA20, as shown by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, enables AEAF to be well dispersed in the amorphous phase of PEAA20. WAXD revealed that the crystallinity of PEAA20 is reduced and the crystallites are deformed by the addition of AEAF. The storage modulus and dynamic glass transition temperature of the polymer increase upon the incorporation of AEAF. Unlike C60 and a monofunctional C60 derivative, AEAF is able to sustain its reinforcing effect in the glass-rubber transition region.