The Impact of the Real Anisotropy Level of Carbon Nanotubes on the Degree of Reinforcement of Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract

The paper examines the mechanism of nanocomposite reinforcement in the case of PMMA / functionalized carbon nanotubes with ultra-small nanofiller content. It shows that the real anisotropy level of carbon nanotubes is determined by their structure formed in the polymer matrix of a nanocomposite. This real anisotropy level, in its turn, determines the higher than normal degree of reinforcement of the examined nanocomposites. It also demonstrates the possibility of modeling the carbon nanotube structure as a macromolecular coil of branched polymer.