126
L. V. Karabanova et al.
Fig. 8.1 Scattering intensity
I(q) versus scattering vector
q(A −1 ) curves obtained for
neat PU network. The
intensity values are taken in
relative scale
2,0ϫ10
5
1,5ϫ10
5
1,0ϫ10 5
1,0ϫ10 −1
q (A
-1
)
I (r.u.)
2,0ϫ10 −1
3,0ϫ10 −1
5,0ϫ10 4
0,0
0,0
D
A
Scheme 8.2 A sketch of the polyurethane structure exhibiting hard and soft domains discretely
spaced at distance D
hard and soft segments within the frame of the polyurethane materials. Thus, the
polyurethane matrix consists of ordered parts (black areas) and cross-passing chains.
Embedding MWCNTs into such a polymer matrix could result in the following
situations. The covalent bonding of the MWCNTs (MWCNT-ox) with PU or van
der Waals interactions of the unfunctionalised areas of the MWCNT surface with
polyurethane matrix should lead to improved disagglomeration of the nanotube
bundles and the good dispersibility of MWCNTs in a polymer [23]. At the same
time, however, such interactions that result in a good distribution (dispersion) of the
nanotubes could partly or completely destroy the ordering of hard and soft segments
of the PU matrix. As a result, not only enhancing but also the drop in mechanical
properties of the PU matrix may occur.
L. V. Karabanova et al.
Fig. 8.1 Scattering intensity
I(q) versus scattering vector
q(A −1 ) curves obtained for
neat PU network. The
intensity values are taken in
relative scale
2,0ϫ10
5
1,5ϫ10
5
1,0ϫ10 5
1,0ϫ10 −1
q (A
-1
)
I (r.u.)
2,0ϫ10 −1
3,0ϫ10 −1
5,0ϫ10 4
0,0
0,0
D
A
Scheme 8.2 A sketch of the polyurethane structure exhibiting hard and soft domains discretely
spaced at distance D
hard and soft segments within the frame of the polyurethane materials. Thus, the
polyurethane matrix consists of ordered parts (black areas) and cross-passing chains.
Embedding MWCNTs into such a polymer matrix could result in the following
situations. The covalent bonding of the MWCNTs (MWCNT-ox) with PU or van
der Waals interactions of the unfunctionalised areas of the MWCNT surface with
polyurethane matrix should lead to improved disagglomeration of the nanotube
bundles and the good dispersibility of MWCNTs in a polymer [23]. At the same
time, however, such interactions that result in a good distribution (dispersion) of the
nanotubes could partly or completely destroy the ordering of hard and soft segments
of the PU matrix. As a result, not only enhancing but also the drop in mechanical
properties of the PU matrix may occur.