The effect of carbon nanotube agglomeration on the thermal and mechanical properties of polyethylene oxide

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2008

Abstract

The effects of agglomerated versus deagglomerated multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the thermal and mechanical characteristics of polyethylene oxide were studied. The specimens were prepared via solutionsonication method, using two procedures. In the first procedure, CNT-PEO solutions were prepared with asreceived MWCNTs, before sonication using an ultrasonic bath; in the second procedure, aggregated MWCNTs were first deagglomerated using high-intensity ultrasonic processor, before mixing with the PEO. The two solution preparation procedures did result in significant thermal property differences such as increased transition temperature and crystallinity, but only one mechanical property can be conclusively associated with the sample preparation method-the breaking strain which was marginally higher for nano-composites containing deagglomerated CNTs, although in all cases the breaking strains were much lower for nanocomposites than for unfilled polymer. However, the overall results confirm the effectiveness of CNTs both as nucleation agents for semicrystalline polymers, and as fillers for enhancement of mechanical properties of the matrix polymer. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.

Identifier

47049112525 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Polymer Composites

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.20567

e-ISSN

15480569

ISSN

02728397

First Page

809

Last Page

817

Issue

7

Volume

29

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