Category: Transient Plane Source
Author(s): A. Nykanen, J. Ruokolainen, J. Seppala, M. Annala, M. Lahelin
Keywords: Acid Treatment, Carbon nanotubes, CNTs, DMA, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Electrical Conductivity, Emulsion Polymerization, Emulsion/Suspension Polymerization, In-Situ Emulsion Polymerization, Molecular Weights, nano-composites, nanocomposites, PD, Percolation Threshold, Poly(methyl methacrylate)/CNT Composites, Polydispersities, Polydispersities (PD), Polymer composites, Polystyrene/CNT Composites, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), SEM, Suspension Polymerization, TEM, Thermal Conductivity, TPS Method, Transmission electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Ultrasonication, Young's Modulus
Abstract: A series of polymer-matrix composites were synthesized by using a variety of carbon nanotubes (single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)) and a polymer matrix (either polystyrene (PS) or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)). Different surfactants and polymerization methods were also used in order to generate a wide range of different composites. These different composites were all tested for thermal and electrical conductivity and characterized by SEM and TEM in order to determine the dispersion of the carbon nanotubes in the polymer matrix. Of the different types of nanotubes used, the MWCNTs had the best dispersion in the polymer matrices, and the loading of nanotubes varied from 0 to 15 wt.%, depending on the type of nanotube used. Overall, the thermal and electrical properties of the composites were improved.
Reference: Composites Science and Technology 71 (2011) 900-907
DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2011.02.005