Multiwall carbon nanotube/PPC composites: Preparation, structural analysis and thermal stability
Journal article, 2013

The focus of this report concerns the preparation nanocomposites from poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). A solvent route using tetrahydrofuran, ethoxylated non- ionic surfactants combined with sonication was found to be successful in deagglomerating and dispersing the nanotubes. Transmission electron microscopy revealed highly disentangled and dispersed nanotubes and was supported by the qualitative stability evaluations. The morphology and molecular mobility of the prepared nanocomposites (0.5, 3.0 and 5.0 wt% of nanotubes) were characterized by rheology, microscopy, low-field solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, and electrical conductivity. The networking of nanotubes was highest with a stearyl alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, and was found to improve with the sonication time. Nanotube percolation was established, both rheologically and electrically, from a filler content of approximately 0.5 wt%. A higher tendency toward particle agglomeration was observed at higher MWNT loadings. Only minor changes in the glass transition temperature were measured presumably due to the presence of solvent and surfactant residues. The thermal stability was marginally improved by increasing the loading and dispersion of the nanotubes, and appeared to be modified by solvent and surfactant residues.

Nanocomposites

Solid-state NMR

Poly(propylene carbonate)

MWNT

Thermal stability

Author

C. Barreto

University of Oslo

Norner AS

A. Altskär

SIK – the Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology

S. Fredriksen

Norner AS

E. Hansen

University of Oslo

Rodney Rychwalski

Chalmers, Materials and Manufacturing Technology, Polymeric Materials and Composites

European Polymer Journal

0014-3057 (ISSN)

Vol. 49 8 2149-2161

Subject Categories

Polymer Technologies

Textile, Rubber and Polymeric Materials

DOI

10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2013.05.009

More information

Latest update

10/5/2023