Crystallization behaviors and properties of poly (arylene ether nitrile) nanocomposites induced by aluminum oxide and multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The effect of Al2O3 and MCNT nanoparticles on the crystallization behaviors, subsequent melting phenomenon, microstructures and mechanical performances of PEEN-based nanocomposites was first investigated and reported. It was found that the absence of nucleating role of Al2O3 made PEEN/Al2O3 nanocomposites show similar melting/cold crystallization and corresponding melting behaviors as those of PEEN matrix. By contrast, MCNT could play two different and competing roles in the crystallization process: acting as nucleating agents and constraining the mobility of polymer chains to hinder crystal growth. Consequently, PEEN/MCNT nanocomposites exhibit the increased Tc, but the decreased Wc, and double Tms. Heat treatment at 220 °C for 2 h turned to be an effective way to finish the cold crystallization process for PEEN and their nanocomposites. SEM images showed that spherical crystallite clusters could be clearly observed in PEEN and PEEN/Al2O3 nanocomposite, which were in well agreement with the DSC and WXRD results. The higher Wc of PEEN/Al2O3 nanocomposites also led to better impact and flexural strength than those of PEEN/MCNT nanocomposite. This research is expected to help us understand the crystallization behaviors and final properties of PEEN-based materials influenced with these two different dimensional nanoparticles.