Journal of Polymer Research (2020) 27:40

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-020-2014-z

ORIGINAL PAPER

Effect of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes on thermal

and mechanical properties of acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene nanocomposite
Sahil Kapoor 1 & Meenakshi Goyal 1 & Prashant Jindal 2

Received: 22 August 2019 / Accepted: 10 January 2020

# The Polymer Society, Taipei 2020

Abstract
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer is used in different areas of engineering based applications, especially in the
aviation and automobile industry. It is highly desirable to improve the thermal and mechanical properties of this polymer to
enhance its current applicability and to widen its scope for variety of advanced applications. Fabrication of polymer nanocom-
posite by reinforcing the polymer with nanofiller is one of the key techniques used worldwide to enhance the properties of
polymer. In this paper, we have fabricated nanocomposite of ABS using facile solution blending technique with functionalized
multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as nanofiller. The weight of functionalized MWCNT in ABS was varied from 1 wt%
to 5 wt%. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) were used for characterization of
functional group and structural analysis in functionalized MWCNT. The distribution and confirmation of functionalized
MWCNT in ABS was analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and Raman spectroscopy.
Thermal characterization showed considerable improvement in thermal degradation stability and significant reduction in thermal
expansion of ABS nanocomposite in comparison to pure ABS. Mechanical characterization using nanoindentation techniques
also showed significant enhancement in mechanical properties of ABS nanocomposite in comparison to pure ABS. The 5 wt%
nanocomposite showed improvement of 95% and 91% in elastic modulus and hardness respectively in comparison to pure ABS.
Dynamic mechanical properties average storage modulus and average hardness improved by 148% and 369% respectively for
5 wt% nanocomposite in comparison to pure ABS. These improved thermal and mechanical properties of ABS using function-
alized MWCNT will lead to wider and enhanced applicability of ABS.

Keywords ABS . Functionalized MWCNT . Solution blending . Nanocomposite . Thermal analysis . Mechanical analysis

Introduction thus providing a large reinforcement surface area in the nano-

Polymer matrix reinforcement with nanofiller leads to the for-
mation of nanocomposite. The introduction of nanocompos-
ites has opened a great scope of application in the field of
material science. The reinforcement of polymer matrix with
nanofiller is mainly done to enhance thermal, mechanical,
dimensional and barrier performance. The nano-scale dimen-
sions of nanofiller provide them with a very high aspect ratio,
* Prashant Jindal
jindalp@pu.ac.in
1
Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr. SSBUIECT, Panjab
University, Chandigarh 160014, India
2
University Institute of Engineering & Technology, Panjab University,
Chandigarh 160014, India
composite. The thermal, mechanical and electrical properties
of polymer nanocomposite formed by adding a small amount
of nanofiller in the polymer are significantly improved in com-
parison to polymer. These improved properties enhance the
applicability of the polymer [1, 2, 3].
Polymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence
of polybutadiene leads to formation of terpolymer ABS. ABS
has certain special properties like good toughness, impact re-
sistance, dimensional stability, chemical resistance and is also
lightweight. ABS due to its above properties is extensively
used as commodity thermoplastics. ABS is used in a variety
of applications like in automotive interior components, pro-
tective headgear, building and construction materials, medical
devices for blood access, luggage and protective carrying
cases, small kitchen appliances, golf club heads (because of
its good shock absorbance), drain-waste-vent (DWV) pipe
 40 Page 2 of 13
systems and toys. ABS has been widely used for applications
like protective headgear and automobile components in the
bumper, dashboard and other automotive body parts. In the
aviation industry ABS polymer in combination with Polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) is widely used in cabin interiors for armrests,
tray tables and seat backs [4–6].
Carbon nanotubes(CNT) were discovered in 1991 by
Iijima [7]. Since then due to their exceptional mechanical,
thermal and electrical properties, they have been used com-
prehensively as nanofiller for the fabrication of high-
performance polymer nanocomposites. These CNT based
polymer nanocomposites are currently used for various engi-
neering applications. The carbon-carbon bonds in CNT are
entirely sp2 bonds which lead to a very strong bonding struc-
ture in CNT. The extremely high mechanical properties of
CNT are attributed to this bonding structure [8–10]. The prop-
erties like very small size, high aspect ratio, low mass density
and high flexibility of CNT make them the perfect nanofiller
for polymers reinforcement. Exceptional improvement in
properties of polymer could be achieved by adding a small
quantity of CNT [11, 12].
Having such exceptional properties still, we are not able to
fully enhance the properties of polymer matrix in which CNTs
are in corporate because of their poor dispersion and low in-
terfacial strength. The presence of strong Van der Waals force
in MWCNT causes it to agglomerate and with each other thus
causing difficulty in dispersion MWCNT in a polymer matrix
[8, 13]. To solve this problem of agglomeration and enhance
interfacial interaction of MWCNT functionalization of
MWCNT has been considered an effective method that gives
better dispersion and the load transfer across the interface of
the MWCNT and polymer is also improved significantly
[14–17].
Zang et al. fabricated epoxy nanocomposite using both
with pristine and amine fuctionalized MWCNTs at 1 wt%
loading. They found that tensile strength and Young’s modu-
lus showed an improvement of 13% and 20% for amine
fuctionalized MWCNTs epoxy nanocomposite over neat
Epoxy. The pristine MWCNTs epoxy nanocomposite showed
no improvement in tensile strength and Young’s modulus
showed an improvement of 5% over neat epoxy [18]. P.-C.
Ma et al. fabricated epoxy nanocomposite using both pristine
and amine functionalized CNT(NH2-CNT). They found that
at ambient temperature elastic storage modulus epoxy/ NH2-
CNT was 2.59 GPa and epoxy/ CNT was 1.72 GPa at similar
weight percentage(0.25 wt%)of CNT. Therefore using amine
functionalized CNT as nanofiller showed more improvement
in thermomechanical properties in comparison to pristine
CNT [19]. Hameed et al. fabricated epoxy nanocomposite
using three different CNT (pristine, Carboxylic and amine
functionalized CNTs at different weight loading of the three
CNT (0.1 wt%, 0.5 wt%, 1 wt%) for thermal and mechanical
characterization. They found that the best combination of
J Polym Res (2020) 27:40
thermal and mechanical properties was shown by amine func-
tionalized CNTs epoxy nanocomposite at 0.5 wt% loading
[20]. Jabeen et al. fabricated poly (methyl methacrylate)
(PMMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) blend nanocom-
posite using purified CNT (P-CNT) and amine functionalized
CNT (PDA-CNT). They found that the at a 3 wt% loading
PMMA/PEG/ PDA-CNT nanocomposite showed a higher
value of tensile strength 26.6 (MPa) and modulus 1303.93
(MPa) in comparison to PMMA/PEG/ P-CNT nanocomposite
which showed a value of tensile strength 24.1 (MPa)and mod-
ulus 1150.39 (MPa). The thermal analysis also showed that
initial decomposition temperature (To) was 49 °C higher and
10% weight loss temperature(T10) was 48 °C higher for
PMMA/PEG/ PDA-CNT nanocomposite in comparison to
PMMA/PEG/ P-CNT nanocomposite for 3 wt% loading
[21]. Menezes et al. fabricated high-density
polyethylene(HDPE) and CNT nanocomposites using pristine
CNT (CNT-P) and amine functionalized CNT (CNT-ODA) at
0.8 wt% loading of both types of CNT. They found that
nanohardness shown by HDPE/ CNT-P was 7.3 HV and
HDPE/CNT-ODA 8.4 HV. HDPE/ CNT-P showed an im-
provement of 8% and 23% in tensile strength and Young’s
moduli respectively while HDPE/CNT-ODA showed an im-
provement of 15% and 38% in tensile strength and tensile
modulus respectively [22]. Chen et al. fabricated ultra-high
molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) nanocomposite
using octadecylamine (ODA) functionalized MWCNT
(MWCNT-ODA). The reason for the use of amine function-
alized MWCNT was that pristine poor dispersion and weak
compatibility of untreated MWCNT. The mechanical results
confirmed that with the impact strength showing 12% higher
improvement in UHMWPE nanocomposite using MWCNT-
ODA in comparison to untreated MWCNT at 0.5 wt% loading
[16]. These above research clearly show that use of function-
alized MWCNT especially amine functionalized MWCNT
shows better thermal and mechanical properties in comparison
to pristine MWCNT in polymer nanocomposite.
Another factor that could improve the dispersion of
MWCNT in the polymer matrix is the kind of technique
chosen for the fabrication of nanocomposite which could
further help in proper dispersion of nanofiller in the poly-
mer. Among the various techniques available for the fab-
rication of polymer/MWCNT nanocomposite three tech-
niques are most widely used, which are Melt mixing, In
situ interfacial polymerization and Solution mixing tech-
nique. In our research work, the fabrication of ABS nano-
composite with functionalized MWCNT was done by so-
lution blending technique. Better distribution of MWCNT
in polymer matrix, easy approach and cost-effectiveness
are certain important features of solution blending tech-
nique. These features were the prime reason for selecting
solution blending technique for the fabrication of ABS
nanocomposite [10, 23–26]. During the fabrication of
J Polym Res (2020) 27:40
ABS and functionalized MWCNT nanocomposites chlo-
roform was used as a solvent.
Previously the few research works done on ABS/MWCNT
nanocomposite using different fabrication techniques showing
improvement in the mechanical properties of the nanocom-
posite is summarized below. ABS/MWCNT nanocomposite
fabricated by Jyoti et al. using melt mixing process in micro
twin-screw extruder showed an increase in tensile strength and
Young’s modulus by 29% and 23% respectively for 3% sam-
ple [27]. Another researcher Al-Saleh et al. found that tensile
strength and Young’s modulus ABS/MWCNT nanocomposite
fabricated using melt mixing technique increased by 72% and
107% for 10% loading of MWCNT in comparison of pure
ABS [5]. ABS/MWCNT nanocomposite fabricated by Jindal
et al. with twin-screw extrusion method showed an increase of
49% and 61% in hardness and modulus respectively for
10 wt% sample of ABS/MWCNT nanocomposites over pure
ABS [28]. From the above publications, we can say that not
much work has been done on thermal and mechanical charac-
terization of ABS nanocomposite fabricated by solution
blending technique using functionalized MWCNT as
nanofiller. The above-said applications of ABS polymer can
be improved and new enhanced applicability of polymer
could be obtained by overcoming its certain physical limita-
tions like the thermal expansion, weather ability and dynamic
response to vibrations. The ABS polymer under various ap-
plications is exposed to different temperatures which lead to
thermal expansion of ABS polymer, this expansion could
cause damage or hindrance in working of surrounding devices
[29]. The vibrations occurring due to engine operation and
aerodynamics in both automobiles and airplanes make the
passenger travel difficult and uncomfortable were ABS is ex-
tensively used. Thus by fabricating ABS nanocomposite using
functionalized MWCNT we could obtain ABS nanocompos-
ite which has good thermal stability, superior mechanical
properties and better vibration absorbance. This could widen
its engineering application of in aerospace, automotive and
defense industry [30]. From this paper, our main endeavor is
to find out how these two factors functionalized MWCNT and
solution blending technique majorly affect the thermal and
mechanical properties of ABS.
Experimental part
Materials –
The materials used during our research work were polymer
ABS which was procured from Goyal poly products Limited,
Phase-2, Industrial area, Chandigarh, India. The nanofiller
amine functionalized MWCNT (NH2-MWCNT) which had
a diameter of 5–20 nm, length of 1–10 μm with 98% purity
was procured from United Nanotech Innovations Private
Page 3 of 13 40
Limited, Bangalore, India. The solvent Chloroform was pro-
cured from Ahuja agencies, Chandigarh, India.
Fabrication of ABS/ NH2-MWCNT nanocomposite –
The NH2-MWCNT used in the fabrication of nanocomposite
has the amine group (NH2) covalently attached to MWCNT.
The amine group acts as binding sites for covalent incorpora-
tion of the NH2-MWCNT in the ABS polymer. The covalent
crosslinking reactions in NH2-MWCNT bundles lead to much
more superior thermal and mechanical strength than weak van
der Waals interacted pristine MWCNT bundles [[21]31]. The
fabrication of ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposite was done
using solution blending technique in which primarily two so-
lutions were prepared, one of ABS and another solution of
NH2-MWCNTs. In both the solution chloroform was used a
solvent. Then both the above-prepared solutions were individ-
ually sonicated and magnetically stirred for 2 h. Then both
these solutions were mixed together and again sonicated and
magnetically stirred for 2 h. Then this solution containing
ABS, NH2-MWCNT, and Chloroform was spread gradually
and uniformly in number of glass Petri dishes. These dishes
were then heated in a heating oven at a temperature slightly
higher than the boiling point of Chloroform at around 70 0 C
so that the chloroform present in the solution evaporates and
solid films of pure ABS and ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocom-
posites are obtained. Images at different points during fabrica-
tion procedure are shown below in Fig. 1. Three different
ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposite films had been fabricat-
ed containing different weights of NH2-MWCNT in the ABS
polymer. These were named ABS/NH2-MWCNT 1 wt%,
ABS/NH2-MWCNT 3 wt% and ABS/NH2-MWCNT 5 wt%
which had 1%, 3% and 5% weight of NH2-MWCNT to the
corresponding weight of ABS respectively. [28, 32, 33].
Characterization –
FTIR and XRD analysis
Firstly FTIR characterization of NH2-MWCNT was done to
analyze the presence of amine functional group in NH2-
MWCNT. FTIR graph was also obtained for pristine
MWCNT and a comparison of the two FTIR graphs was done.
This characterization was done using the instrument Spectrum
400 FTIR Spectrometer by Perkin Elmer, United States of
America. XRD patterns were obtained for both pristine
MWCNT and NH2-MWCNT. XRD technique was used for
obtaining information regarding the crystallinity of NH2-
MWCNT. The XRD was performed using the instrument
X’Pert Pro by Malvern Panalytical, United Kingdom.
 40 Page 4 of 13
Fig. 1 Images during fabrication
procedure (a) Pure ABS and
NH2-MWCNTs; (b) Solution of
ABS/NH2-MWCNTs
nanocomposite and pure ABS and
(c) Film of ABS/NH2-MWCNTs
nanocomposite and pure ABS
Morphological characterization
The morphological characterization of pure ABS, NH2-
MWCNT and ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposite films
was performed on the FESEM machine with model number
SU8010 from Hitachi, Japan which showed the distribution
and dispersion of NH2-MWCNT in ABS polymer. These
films before FESEM analysis were coated with platinum
using Ion Sputter instrument with model number MC1000
from Hitachi, Japan.
Raman spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy was performed on ABS/NH2-MWCNT
nanocomposite films using the instrument inVia Raman spec-
trometer by Renishaw, United Kingdom, with the excitation
laser source of 785 nm wavelength to confirm the presence of
NH2-MWCNT in the nanocomposite films. The data of pure
ABS was taken from our previous publication [34].
Thermal characterization
The thermal analysis of NH 2-MWCNT and ABS/NH 2-
MWCNT nanocomposite films was done by thermal gravi-
metric analysis (TGA), using a TGA instrument with model
SDT Q600 from TA instruments, United States of America.
Samples of film in the weight ranging from 5 to 15 mg were
analyzed using cylindrical Alumina crucible of capacity 90 μl.
The sample was tested at a heating rate of 10 °C/min under
inert atmosphere (N2 gas). Thermal expansion behavior was
analyzed using L76 platinum series model horizontal dilatom-
eter of Lenseis company from Germany. Pure ABS and ABS/
NH2-MWCNT nanocomposite films were transformed into
disc-shaped pallet samples with 5 mm thickness and 10 mm
diameter using compression molding machine. These disc-
shaped pallet samples were heated over the temperature range
of 45 °C to 80 °C at the rate of 1 °C/min. The temperature
inside a parked vehicle in different weather seasons is usually
in the temperature range mentioned above [35, 36]. The data
J Polym Res (2020) 27:40
of pure ABS for thermal analysis was taken from our previous
publication [33, 34].
Mechanical characterization
The static and dynamic mechanical analysis of ABS/NH2-
MWCNT nanocomposites was done using the nanoindenta-
tion technique. The nanoindenter equipment used for mechan-
ical characterization was Hysitron T1 950 TriboIndentor
which had a three sided pyramidal tip (Berkovich) having
radius of 150 nm and an included angle of 142.30. The
Calibration of tip was done using polycarbonate and standard
fused quartz sample. The samples used in mechanical charac-
terization were disc shaped pallets of 5 mm thickness and
10 mm diameter. These samples were made from the films
of pure ABS and ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites using
compression moulding machine. The testing of all the samples
was done at a peak load of 1000μN. The mechanical proper-
ties obtained from this testing are elastic modulus and hard-
ness which are calculated from load versus displacement
curve using Oliver-Pharr method, which is one the most wide-
ly used method for this purpose. Therefore, hardness (H) and
elastic modulus (E) are computed by using Oliver-Pharr meth-
od [37].
The formula used for calculating hardness (H) of the sam-
ple was.
Pmax
H¼
A:
In this formula, Pmax and A represented peak load and
projected contact area respectively.
The slope of the unloading curve was used for obtaining
Stiffness (S) by formula
dP
S¼ at ðh ¼ hmaxÞ
dh
Then reduced modulus (E r ) is calculated using the
stiffness(S) obtained above
J Polym Res (2020) 27:40 Page 5 of 13 40

hmax Results and discussion

Loading Curve FTIR and XPS analysis
Load (µN)

Pmax

FTIR is important and essential technique for the identifi-

S
cation of certain specific functional groups in a given mate-
Unloading Curve
rial. The MWCNT have specific structure therefore the
FTIR spectra has mostly weak absorbing frequencies.
Displacment (nm)
Figure 3 shows the two FTIR spectrums one of pristine
Fig. 2 General diagram of Load versus displacement curve in MWCNT shown by red color and the other of amine func-
nanoindentation testing tionalized MWCNT shown by black color. The peak due to
stretching vibration of C=C aromatic bonds and which is
related to the structure of MWCNT is present at
pffiffiffi
1 π 1 1530 cm−1 and 1519 cm−1 in the FTIR spectra of pristine
E r ¼ S   pffiffiffi  MWCNT and NH2-MWCNT respectively. The peak corre-
2 A β
sponding to C-H stretching is present at 3000 cm−1 and
In this formula, β is a constant which depends on ge- 3002 cm−1 in the FTIR spectra of pristine MWCNT and
ometry of indenter. The value of β used for Berkovich tip NH2-MWCNT respectively. Both the FTIR spectra have
is 1.034. The above obtained reduced modulus is then the characteristic FTIR peaks of MWCNT except one oc-
used for calculating the elastic modulus of sample by curring at 3440 cm−1 which is present in NH2-MWCNT and
formula not in pristine MWCNT. This peak which is shown by re-
gion encircled by orange color occurs due to stretching vi-
   
1 1−v2i 1−v2s brations of the amine N–H groups, thus confirming the pres-
¼ þ ence of amine group in the functionalized MWCNT [15, 38,
Er Ei Es
39]. XRD technique was used for analysis of crystallo-
graphic structure of pristine MWCNT and NH2-MWCNT.
In the above formula Ei and vi represent elastic modulus The significant diffraction peak of MWCNT appeared in
and Poisson’s ratio of the indenter respectively. Similarly Es pristine MWCNTs and NH 2 -MWCNT pattern at 2 of
and vs used in the formula represent elastic modulus and 25.8° and 43° as shown in the pattern below. The 2 peaks
Poisson’s ratio of the specimen respectively. Figure 2 shown occurring at 25.8° and 43° corresponded to interlayer spac-
below is a general diagram which shows how displacment in a ing between adjacent graphite layers and reflection peaks
given sample varies with load applied on it during nanoinden- respectively. As both the characteristic peaks of MWCNT
tation testing. occurred at the same place in the XRD pattern of pristine
The hardness and elastic modulus of the sample character- MWCNT and NH2-MWCNT it can be conclude that NH2-
ized by nanoindentation testing was obtained directly on com- MWCNTs still had same cylinder wall structure and inter
pletion of one complete cycle using the formulas given above. planner spacing after the functionalization process. Thus,
The data of pure ABS was taken from our previous publica- the structure of MWCNTs is protected even after
tion [34]. functionalization [40, 41].

Fig. 3 (a) FTIR spectrum of NH2-MWCNT

pristine MWCNT and NH2- Pristine MWCNT
NH2-MWCNT
MWCNT; (b) XRD patterns of Pristine MWCNT
pristine MWCNT and NH2-
Transmittance

MWCNT
Intensity

500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

-1
Wavenumber (cm ) 2θ (degree)

(a) (b)
40 Page 6 of 13 J Polym Res (2020) 27:40
 J Polym Res (2020) 27:40
ƒFig. 4 FESEM images of pure ABS and nanocomposites of ABS/ NH2-
MWCNT (a) pure ABS; (b) NH2-MWCNT; (b) ABS/ NH2-MWCNT
1 wt%; (c) ABS/ NH2-MWCNT 3 wt%; (d) ABS/ NH2-MWCNT
5 wt%; (e) ABS/ NH2-MWCNT 1 wt% (cross-section); (f) ABS/ NH2-
MWCNT 3 wt% (cross-section) and (g) ABS/ NH2-MWCNT 5 wt%
(cross-section)
Morphological analysis
The morphological characterization done using FESEM
showed images of pure ABS and ABS/NH2-MWCNT nano-
composites which give us information about how NH2-
MWCNT were dispersed and distributed in the ABS polymer
matrix. FESEM image in Fig. 4(a) is of pure ABS and is plain
image without the presence of any NH2-MWCNT. Figure 4(b)
shows FESEM image of NH2-MWCNT in which we can see a
number of NH2-MWCNT. Figure 4(c), (d) and (e) are surface
FESEM images and Fig. 4(f), (g) and (h) are cross-section
FESEM images of ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites at
1 wt%, 3 wt% and 5 wt% respectively. In these figures the
presence of NH2-MWCNT is shown by red and orange color
encircled regions. From the surface and cross-section FESEM
images of ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites of we can
comment the following statements. As we go from 1 wt% to
5 wt% sample the number of NH2-MWCNT is increasing with
1% and 3% showing a uniform distribution of nanofiller
shown by red color encircled region. The 5 wt% sample also
shows uniform distribution but has certain regions showing
agglomeration of NH2-MWCNT shown by regions encircled
orange color. This agglomeration occurs due to the van der
Waals forces attraction present between NH2-MWCNT and
thus effecting the dispersion of NH2-MWCNT is ABS matrix.
The lower percentages of NH2-MWCNT are well dispersed in
the ABS matrix with the 5 wt% sample showing the beginning
of agglomeration. [1, 24, 42].
Raman spectrum analysis
The confirmation of NH2-MWCNT in nanocomposites
of ABS/NH2-MWCNT was obtained using Raman spec-
troscopy, which is a vital and essential technique for the
description of MWCNT in the nanocomposites. Raman
spectrum of pure ABS shown in Fig. 5(a) shows several
small intensity peaks with one very strong and intense
peak at 1002 cm−1. This peak is the characteristic peak
of ABS and arises due to the vibrational response of the
aromatic ring in the styrene part of ABS [43]. Raman
spectrum of all the nanocomposites of ABS/NH 2 -
MWCNT had this ABS characteristic peak along with
the characteristic peaks of MWCNT. Raman spectrum of
ABS/NH2-MWCNT 1 wt% in Fig. 5(b) shows small
Page 7 of 13 40
900 1200 1500 1800 2100
(d)
Intensity (counts)
(c)
(b)
(a)
900 1200 1500 1800 2100
-1
Raman Shift (cm )
Fig. 5 Raman spectrum of pure ABS and nanocomposites of ABS/ NH2-
MWCNT (a) pure ABS; (b) ABS/ NH2-MWCNT 1 wt%; (c) ABS/ NH2-
MWCNT 3 wt% and (d) ABS/ NH2-MWCNT 5 wt%
peaks start to appear at around 1307 cm − 1 and
1605 cm−1 which are characteristic peaks of MWCNT.
Raman spectrum of ABS/ NH2-MWCNT 3 wt% in Fig.
5(c) shows the characteristic peaks of MWCNT appeared at
1318 cm−1 and 1604 cm−1 and were sharp and distinct. Raman
spectrum of ABS/ NH2-MWCNT 5 wt% in Fig. 5(d) shows
the characteristic peaks of MWCNT appear at 1309 cm−1 and
1605 cm−1 which were more sharp and intense. The regions
were these characteristic peaks have occurred in the Raman
spectrum of nanocomposites corresponds to signature D and
G band of MWCNT, thus confirming the presence of NH2-
MWCNT in the nanocomposites. The D band or dispersive
band peaks occurring at 1307 cm−1, 1318 cm−1 and 1309 cm−1
in the Raman spectrum of nanocomposites and were formed
due to local defects which were present due to structural im-
perfections in the NH2-MWCNT. The G band or Graphitic
band peaks occurred at 1605 cm −1 , 1604 cm −1 and
1605 cm−1 in the Raman spectrum of nanocomposites and
were formed due to ordered sp2 hybridized carbon network
in the NH2-MWCNT [28, 44]. In Raman spectrum of nano-
composites as we move from lower to higher percentages of
NH2-MWCNT the intensity and sharpness of characteristic
peak for ABS decreases and intensity of characteristic peaks
for NH2-MWCNT increases. This suggests the decrease and
increase in the content of ABS and NH 2 -MWCNT
respectively.
 40 Page 8 of 13 J Polym Res (2020) 27:40

Fig. 6 (a) TGA graph of pure 100 100

ABS and the nanocomposites of

Weight percentage(%)
ABS/NH2-MWCNT and (b) 80 90

Weight percentage(%)
Zoomed TGA of pure ABS and
the nanocomposites of ABS/NH2- 60 80

MWCNT in weight loss ranging

from 95% to 50% 40 70

20 60

0 50
0 100 200 300 400 500 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420

(a) (b)

Thermal analysis incorporated NH2-MWCNT [48, 49]. The TGA curve in

TGA
Thermal degradation stability of pure ABS, NH2-MWCNT
and ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites were analyzed
using TGA in which variation of weight percentage of sample
with respect to temperature was studied and shown by
Fig. 6(a). Pure ABS polymer undergoes initially a minor deg-
radation at a temperature of around 150 °C which occurs due
to thermal oxidation and degradation of polybutadiene in the
ABS [45, 46] and a major degradation in which the polymer
chain starts breaking at around 350 °C up to 450 °C shown by
black line in Fig. 6(a). TGA curve of NH2-MWCNT shown by
green color line shows a weight loss of around 20% in the
temperature range of 200 °C to 280 °C. This weight loss
occurs due to oxidation of functional group in NH 2 -
MWCNT and is not observed for pristine MWCNT [47].
ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites undergo single-step
degradation and the breakdown of the polymer chain is de-
layed or occurs at higher temperature in comparison to pure
ABS. This is clearly visible from Fig. 6(a) in which the col-
ored lines representing the ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocompos-
ites showed less weight loss at a given temperature in com-
parison to black line representing pure ABS. We can say that
ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites showed better thermal
stability in comparison to pure ABS. The improved thermal
stability of ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites compared to
pure ABS is essentially due to the barrier effect of the
Fig. 6(a) was zoomed in the region where the weight loss
was ranging from 95% to 50% and was shown in Fig. 6(b).
This was done to analyze among the three nanocomposites
which nanocomposite showed maximum improvement in
thermal degradation stability. From Fig. 6(b) and Table 1 at
20% weight loss and 50% weight loss the improvement in
thermal degradation temperature for ABS/NH2-MWCNT
nanocomposites in comparison to pure ABS is ranging from
16 to 19.5 °C and 14.5-18 °C respectively. From these results
we can say that ABS/NH2-MWCNT at 5 wt% composition
showed maximum improvement in thermal degradation sta-
bility. The uniform distribution and enhanced interfacial inter-
action of NH2-MWCNT nanofiller in the ABS polymer
helped in reducing mass loss rate and thus delaying weight
loss. This higher thermal stability of ABS/NH2-MWCNT
nanocomposites over pure ABS will be helpful to make the
polymer tolerate higher temperatures without any structural
deformation [50, 51].
Thermal expansion
Two thermal expansion properties, thermal strain and co-
efficient of thermal expansion (CTE) were analyzed in the
temperature ranging from 45 °C to 80 °C and their vari-
ation was shown by Fig. 7(a) and (b) respectively. Table 2
was obtained using the data obtained from the graphs in
these figures. The thermal strain at a given temperature
was calculated by taking the ratio of variation in length of

Table 1 TGA results of pure

ABS and ABS/ NH2-MWCNT Percentage of Temperature at Temperature at Improvement in Improvement in
nanocomposites NH2- MWCNT in weight Loss of weight Loss of temperature at weight temperature at weight
ABS (wt%) 20% (°C) 50% (°C) Loss of 20% (°C) Loss of 50% (°C)

0 382 404 – –
1 398 418.5 16 14.5
3 399 420 17 16
5 401.5 422 19.5 18
J Polym Res (2020) 27:40 Page 9 of 13 40

Fig. 7 (a) Thermal Strain (10−3) 6 105

versus Temperature (°C) graph of

Thermal Strain (10 )

5 90

-3
pure ABS and ABS/NH2-
4 75

CTE(10 /K)
MWCNT nanocomposites and

-6
(b) CTE (10−6/K) versus 3 60
Temperature (°C) graph of pure 45
2
ABS and ABS/NH2-MWCNT
30
nanocomposites 1
15
0
0
50 60 70 80 50 60 70 80

(a) (b)

sample at that temperature to original length of sample.
Similarly CTE was also calculated at given temperature
by taking the ratio of variation in length of sample at that
temperature to product of variation in temperature with
original length of sample. Table 2 showed how the ther-
mal strain and CTE were varying with different weight
percentages of NH2-MWCNT in ABS polymer at the tem-
perature of 60 °C. ABS/NH2-MWCNT 5 wt% nanocom-
posite at 60 °C showed a reduction in thermal strain and
CTE of 50% and 22% respectively in comparison with
pure ABS.The results of thermal strain and CTE of pure
ABS and ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites clearly in-
dicate significant decrease in thermal expansion properties
with increase in percentage of NH 2-MWCNT in ABS
polymer. Features of NH2-MWCNT like low CTE, high
elastic modulus and there enhanced interactions with ABS
polymer are the main factors that restrict the movement of
polymer chain in the ABS nanocomposites thus leading to
reduction in thermal expansion properties of ABS nano-
composite [29, 52]. At lower temperatures, the reduction
in thermal strain and CTE was more dominant. From the
results of thermal expansion properties of various ABS/
NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites in Fig. 7 and Table 2 we
Table 2 Thermal Expansion results of pure ABS and ABS/ NH2-
MWCNT nanocomposites
Percentage of NH2- Thermal Expansion properties at 60 0 C
MWCNT in ABS
(Wt%) Thermal Percentage CTE Percentage
Strain Reduction in (10−6/ Reduction in
−3
(10 ) Thermal Strain K) CTE
0 2.41 – 74
1 1.41 41 68
3 1.18 51 61
5 1.20 50 58
can also say that major improvement in thermal expansion
properties is attained up to 3 wt% and from 3 wt% to
5 wt% there is not any significant improvement in thermal
expansion property. This could be due to agglomeration
of NH2-MWCNT in 5 wt% sample of ABS nanocompos-
ite, which can also be seen from the FESEM images of
the sample.
Mechanical analysis
Static mechanical analysis
In static mechanical analysis load versus displacement
curves were obtained using nanoindentation testing tech-
nique under an applied load of 1000μN for pure ABS and
various ABS/NH 2 -MWCNT nanocomposites shown by
Fig. 8(a). Mechanical properties like elastic modulus and
hardness were obtained from these curves. Table 3 and Fig.
8(b) shows that elastic modulus and hardness of ABS/NH2-
MWCNT nanocomposites varied from 3.577 GPa to
4.478 GPa and 0.181 GPa to 0.220 GPa respectively.
Table 3 and Fig. 8(b) also shows that elastic modulus and
hardness of pure ABS 2.302 GPa and 0.115 GPa respective-
ly. The values of Elastic modulus and hardness obtained for
the various ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites are much
higher than those obtained for pure ABS thus showing that
there is a significant improvement in the value of both these
mechanical properties in the nanocomposite. The improve-
ment in elastic modulus and hardness for ABS/NH 2 -
MWCNT nanocomposites was ranging from 55 to 95%
and 57–91% respectively in comparison to pure ABS.
– Both the mechanical properties showed an increasing trend
8 from lower to a higher percentage in the ABS/NH 2 -
18 MWCNT nanocomposites. This enhancement in mechani-
22 cal properties ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites is due
to uniform distribution and better interaction of NH 2 -
 40 Page 10 of 13 J Polym Res (2020) 27:40

PURE ABS
Fig. 8 (a) Load versus 1000 ABS/NH2-MWCNTs 1wt%
displacement curves of pure ABS ABS/NH2-MWCNTs 3wt% 5.0 0.24

Elastic Modulus(GPa)
and ABS/NH2-MWCNT 800 ABS/NH2-MWCNTs 5wt%
0.21

Hardness(GPa)
4.5
nanocomposites under an applied
0.18
load of 1000 μN and (b) Graph of 600 4.0
Elastic modulus and Hardness 0.15
3.5
400
versus Percentage of NH2- 3.0
0.12
MWCNT in ABS (wt%) 200 Elastic modulus(E)
0.09
2.5 Hardness(H)
0.06
0 2.0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 0 1 2 3 4 5
Displacment (nm) Percentage of NH2-MWCNTs in ABS(wt%)

(a) (b)

MWCNT in ABS polymer thus leading to better load trans-
fer in the polymer matrix. These NH2-MWCNT reduce the
stress concentration zones in the polymer matrix, thus im-
proving the mechanical properties of the polymer [1,
53–55].
Dynamic mechanical analysis
The variation of dynamic mechanical properties like av-
erage storage modulus and average hardness with re-
spect to frequency is showed in Fig. 9(a) and (b).
During the analysis, frequency was varied from 10 to
200 Hz. It can be observed from both these figures, that
ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites show a consider-
able improvement in both the average storage modulus
and average hardness in comparison to pure ABS across
the entire frequency range. Table 4 and Fig. 9(c) given
below shows how these dynamic mechanical properties
varied with respect to weight percentage of NH 2 -
MWCNT in ABS polymer. The variation in values of
average storage modulus and average hardness of ABS/
NH 2 -MWCNT nanocomposites was ranging from
6.099 GPa to 7.275 GPa and 0.502 GPa to 0.548 GPa
respectively. The pure ABS had average storage modu-
lus of 2.930 GPa and hardness of 0.117 GPa. From
Table 4 and Fig. 9(c) it can be stated that the average
storage modulus shows an improvement ranging from
108% to 148% for the ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocom-
posites in comparison to pure ABS. Similarly, the aver-
age hardness also shows an improvement ranging from
330% to 369% for the ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocom-
posites in comparison to pure ABS. The percentage of
the extent of improvement in average storage modulus
and average hardness in ABS/NH2-MWCNT becomes
more significant with the increase in weight of NH2-
MWCNT in ABS. The uniform disruption and better
interfacial interaction between NH2-MWCNT and ABS
polymer and stiffening effect of NH2-MWCNT lead to
retardation of chain mobility and immobilization of
ABS polymer chain in the ABS/NH2-MWCNT nano-
composites. These above features are the main reason
for enhancement in dynamic mechanical properties of
ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites. Due to their im-
proved storage modulus ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocom-
posites show ‘pseudo-solid-like’ behavior which leads
to yielding phenomenon. A similar phenomenon was
also observed for strongly interacted polymer and filler
in conventionally filled polymers. Finally we can say
that the addition of NH2-MWCNT nanofiller in ABS
polymer has brought significant enhancement in the dy-
namic mechanical properties or dynamic rigidity across
varying dynamic frequency in ABS/NH 2 -MWCNT
nanocomposites compared to pure ABS [14, 28, 53,
56, 57].

Table 3 Elastic Modulus and

Hardness of pure ABS and ABS/ Percentage of Elastic Standard Hardness Standard Percentage Percentage
NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites NH2- MWCNT Modulus deviation H(GPa) deviation improvement in improvement
in ABS (wt%) E(GPa) E(GPa) H(GPa) Elastic Modulus in Hardness
(± ) (± )

0 2.302 0.065 0.115 0.006 0 0

1 3.577 0.105 0.181 0.006 55 57
3 4.121 0.131 0.190 0.025 79 65
5 4.478 0.480 0.220 0.015 95 91
J Polym Res (2020) 27:40 Page 11 of 13 40

Fig. 9 (a) Variation of average 8 0.6

Average Storage Modulus (GPa)

storage modulus with dynamic

Average Hardness (GPa)

7 0.5
frequency of pure ABS and the
ABS/NH2-MWCNT 6 0.4 Pure ABS
nanocomposites; (b) Variation of Pure ABS ABS/NH2-MWCNTs 1wt%
average hardness with dynamic 5 ABS/NH2-MWCNTs 1wt% ABS/NH2-MWCNTs 3wt%
0.3
frequency of pure ABS and ABS/ ABS/NH2-MWCNTs 3wt% ABS/NH2-MWCNTs 5wt%
4
NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites ABS/NH2-MWCNTs 5wt% 0.2
and (c) Graph of average storage 3
0.1
modulus and average hardness
2
versus percentage of NH2- 0 50 100 150 200 0 50 100 150 200
MWCNT in ABS (wt%) Dynamic Frequency (Hz) Dynamic Frequency (Hz)

Average Storage Modulus (GPa)

0.7

Average Hardness (GPa)

7
0.6
6 0.5

5 0.4
Average Storage Modulus 0.3
4
Average Hardness
0.2
3
0.1
2
0 1 2 3 4 5
Percentage of NH2-MWCNTs in ABS(wt%)

Conclusion showed significant and substantial enhancement in ABS/

The use of simple and facile solvent blending technique
leads to the production of well-distributed and dispersed
ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites, particularly at lower
percentages of nanofiller as shown by FESEM images.
This distribution of NH2-MWCNT in the ABS matrix sig-
nificantly improves the mechanical and thermal properties
of the nanocomposite. The thermal analysis results of pure
ABS and ABS/NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites depicted
clearly that the addition of NH2-MWCNT in ABS im-
proved its thermal degradation stability and reduced ther-
mal expansion in ABS. The ABS/NH2-MWCNT 5 wt%
showed improvement of 19.5 °C in thermal degradation
stability at 20% weight loss and reduction in thermal
strain and CTE of 50% and 22% at 60 °C in comparison
to pure ABS. Similarly, the mechanical properties also
NH2-MWCNT nanocomposites. The elastic modulus and
hardness of 5 wt% ABS nanocomposite improved by 95%
and 91% respectively. These improved static mechanical
properties will make ABS rigid and resistant to deforma-
tion. The improved average storage modulus and average
hardness by 148% and 369% of 5 wt% ABS nanocom-
posite over pure ABS would provide better vibrational
absorbance and dynamic rigidity. Therefore, the use of
NH2-MWCNT in the ABS polymer fabricated using solu-
tion blending technique leads to superior thermal and me-
chanical properties in ABS. This enhancement in proper-
ties will improve the current application and widens the
scope of engineering application of ABS polymer.
Particularly in automotive industries, aviation industries
were ABS is extensively used, the improved thermal, stat-
ic and dynamic mechanical properties of ABS/NH 2 -

Table 4 Average Storage

Modulus and Average Hardness Percentage of Average Standard Average Standard Percentage Percentage
of pure ABS and various NH2- Storage deviation Hardness deviation improvement in improvement
nanocomposites of ABS/ NH2- MWCNT in Modulus E(GPa) H(GPa) E(GPa) Average Storage in Average
MWCNT ABS (wt%) E(GPa) (± ) (± ) Modulus Hardness

0 2.930 0.174 0.117 0.015 0 0

1 6.099 0.209 0.502 0.024 108 330
3 6.940 0.205 0.504 0.025 137 331
5 7.275 0.153 0.548 0.029 148 369
 40 Page 12 of 13
MWCNT nanocomposite will make the passenger travel
more safe and comfortable [28, 32, 58–63].
Acknowledgements The author is thankful to TEQIP-III for funding this
research work. The author is also thankful for the financial assitance
provided by Design and innovation centre (DIC) under the project (17-
11/2015-PN-1). The authors would also express their sincere thanks to Dr.
Navin Kumar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Ropar for
technical support during this research work.
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