Preparation of carbon nanotube-reinforced polyethylene nanocomposites with better anti-scaling and corrosion-resistant properties

Abstract

Anti-scaling technology for pipelines has always been a focus of oilfield industrial production. Compared with traditional metal pipes, polyethylene (PE) pipes have unique advantages in terms of corrosion resistance, surface friction resistance, and service life. In this paper, aiming at an enhancement of anti-scaling and corrosion-resistant properties, as well as increased mechanical properties, PE nanocomposites have been prepared by the introduction of modified carbon nanotubes (m-CNTs) into the PE matrix. To improve the interface compatibility of the composites, the CNTs were treated with reactive tetrabutyl titanate after nitric acid oxidation, which brings about uniform dispersion of the CNTs and intimate interface interaction. As the m-CNT fraction increases, the PE crystallinity displays a slight increase. Polarized microscopy shows that the scaling on the surface of the composite material is obviously reduced compared with pure PE, because the surface free energy of the composite material decreases. Moreover, due to the good dispersion, the composites show enhanced mechanical properties. That is, by adding 1.10 wt% CNTs, the tensile stress and impact toughness of the composites are 20.76 MPa and 37.89 kJ m⁻², respectively, increases of 15.0% and 11.9% compared with pure PE. This paper supports the idea that the crystallinity of the PE matrix can be improved by adding CNTs, thereby increasing the corrosion resistance and anti-scaling properties. This work can provide inspiration for using the methods of scale inhibition and corrosion resistance in polymer nanocomposites.

Keywords: Carbon nanotube; Nanocomposite; Polyethylene; Anti-scaling; Corrosion-resistant.