Journal article
From Nano Hybrid Shish-Kebab to CNTs Reinforced Nanocomposites
Polymeric materials science and engineering, Vol.93
01 Oct 2005
Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNT) possess remarkable electrical and mechanical properties coupled with good chemical stability due to their unique nanostructures [1, 2]. Thus, polymer composites reinforced with CNTs are considered to have many engineering potentials, ranging from battery electrodes and electronic devices to much stronger composites. In order to efficiently transfer their outstanding properties from nano- to micro-scale, it is well known that the biggest challenge is to disperse CNTs, especially in polymer matrix. For example, carbon nanotubes have been dispersed into polymers matrices, such as poly (phenylenevinylene) (PPV) [3] and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) [4], to prepare nanocomposites. To achieve good CNT dispersion, functionalization of CNTs is a key step before adding them into polymer matrix. Both the chemical functionalization technique and non-covalent wrapping method have been developed [5, 6]. While covalent functionalization of CNT will affect their electronic properties [7, 8] and high degree of covalent functionalization reported in the literature would likely damage CNT structure and lead to loss of their exceptional properties, non-covalent functionalization method has the advantage of maintaining the structure integrity of CNTs. In this proceeding, we report a novel method using polymer crystallization to functionalize CNTs. The non-covalent nature of this method ensures the structure integrity and excellent physical properties of CNTs. More importantly, these functionalized CNTs were used to fabricate CNT reinforced nanocomposites. Our preliminary results showed excellent dispersion of CNTs in both nylon 6, 6 and PE matrix. Improvement of thermal properties was observed.
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Details
- Title
- From Nano Hybrid Shish-Kebab to CNTs Reinforced Nanocomposites
- Creators
- Lingyu LiStephen KodjieChristopher Li
- Publication Details
- Polymeric materials science and engineering, Vol.93
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Identifiers
- 991019170327904721