Chemistry Letters, Vol.35, No.3, 262-263, 2006
Microwave enhancement of elasticity in poly(propylene)-carbon nanotube composites
Irradiating weak microwave to a poly(propylene) composite containing a small amount of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) enhances the storage modulus but has no effect on the loss modulus. We postulate that local melting and recrystallization of the polymer in the close vicinity of the SWCNT surface lead to better wetting, and larger contact areas for the improved elastic response.