Nanocomposites with functionalized carbon nanotubes
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Nanocomposites with functionalized carbon nanotubes. Shamal K. Mhetre, Yong. K. Kim, Steven. B. Warner, Prabir. K. Patra, Phaneshwar. Katangur and Autumn. Dhanote. Department of Textile Science, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, N. Dartmouth, MA, USA. ABSTRACT The main issues related with preparation of nanocomposites are dispersion, alignment and adhesion between carbon nanotubes and matrix. We are designing an approach where these issues are fully addressed. We combined a functionalization approach with in-situ technique of nanocomposites preparation. A good dispersion and intercalation of carbon nanotubes were observed in the prepared nanocomposites. A presence of strong interfacial region was also noted. It is also found that orientation of carbon nanotubes inside matrix can be done by mechanically stretching of nanocomposites. DSC analysis shows that inclusion of carbon nanotubes affects crystallization behavior of nylon 6 significantly and it is found that CNTs acts as nucleating agents. INTRODUCTION Carbon nanotubes have excellent mechanical and interesting electrical and nonlinear optical properties because of their unique atomic geometries [1]. These properties make carbon nanotubes a potential candidate for high performance structural and high-tech electrical and optical actuator applications [2]. Despite their promises, no significant enhancement in the mechanical strength or modulus has been achieved in nanotube-polymer composites, presumably due to the weak interface between CNTs and polymer matrix and their poor dispersion in the substrate. Therefore it is obvious total realization of properties of carbon nanotubes can only be achieved when problems of dispersion, alignment and adhesion of carbon nanotubes with matrix are solved [2]. The experimental approach has been designed in a way that above mentioned issues are addressed and results of work done have been reported in this paper. Detail characterization and measurements of mechanical and electrical properties are in progress. EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS Materials used: The materials used in experiments are Concentrated H2SO4 96% and HNO3 70%, PVDF hydrophilic 0.2 um pore size filters, ε -caprolactam, Sodium hydride (NaH), 60% dispersion in oil, Polyoxyethylene MW- 6000 gm/moles, N-acetylcaprolactam, Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes ( Catalytic Materials, 1750 Washington St, Holliston, MA 01746)
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Equipment and Services Used: Ultrasonic Disrupter - 750 Watt, Ultrasonic Processor (homogenizer), Cole-Palmer, Polarized Light Microscope, SEM – JEOL, JSM 5610, DSC-Q 1000 TA Instrument, FTIR Biorad Digilab Functionalization of carbon nanotubes: A mixture of carbon nanotubes, H2SO4 (96%) and HNO3 (70%) was prepared and subjected to ultrasonication for 2 hours at 80 % amplitude for 5 sec. ON and 2 sec. OFF). Then the mixture was boiled with reflux at 110°C for 2 hours [3]. The resultant mixture was then diluted with distilled water and filtered using hydrophilic PVDF 0.2 micron pore size filter. The treated carbon nanotubes were washed with dil
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