A facile approach towards functionalization of MWCNTs with vitamin B2 for reinforcing of biodegradable and chiral poly(ester-imide) having L-phenylalanine linkages: morphological and thermal investigations

Abstract

Nanocomposites based on chiral poly(ester-imide) (PEI) and different weight percentages of modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared by solution mixing method. Carboxylated-MWCNTs were functionalized with riboflavin by an efficient, fast and simple strategy under microwave irradiation to improve interfacial interactions and dispersion of CNTs in a PEI matrix. The products were characterized for assessing the spectroscopic, thermal and morphological properties by FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The TGA results of the obtained nanocomposites proved the enhancement in the thermal stability with an increase in the percentage of functionalized MWCNTs. Microscopic observations showed well-dispersed morphologies and efficient interaction between the functionalized MWCNTs and the polymer matrix.