Influence Of Conducting Polymer On Mechanical, Thermal And Shape Memory Properties Of Polyurethane/polythiophene Blends And Nanocomposite

¹Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan

²Nanosciences and Catalysis Division, National Centre for Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University Campus,  Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

Adv. Mater. Lett., 2016, 7 (4), pp 282-288

DOI: 10.5185/amlett.2016.6198

Publication Date (Web): Mar 07, 2016

Copyright © IAAM-VBRI Press

E-mail: m_sidiq12@yahoo.com

Abstract

Polyurethane/polythiophene (PU/PTh) blends and nanocomposites were prepared by solution mixing and in situ polymerization, respectively and were investigated for mechanical, thermal, electrical and shape memory properties. Formation of blends and composites was supported by FTIR analysis. Surface morphology of prepared samples was clarified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Homogeneous morphology of the composites was observed compared to blends due to well dispersion of NH₂ functionalized MWCNTs attributed to introduction of urea linkages between the functionalized nanotubes and the NCO-terminated PU. Smooth morphology of the composites resulted for the significant improvement of the mechanical properties. Thermal stability of the blends and composites was found increased with PTh content. According to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), an increase in glass transition, melting and crystallization temperature was observed for composites with PTh addition. Maximum shape recoverability (92 %) was exhibited by the PU/PTh composite with 1 wt. % PTh loading. 

Keywords

Conducting polymer, nanocomposite, mechanical testing, thermal analysis, shape memory behavior.