Dielectric properties of PMMA/Soot nanocomposites

Dielectric analysis (DEA) of relaxation behavior in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) soot nanocomposites is described herein. The soot, an inexpensive material, consists of carbon nanotubes, amorphous and graphitic carbon and metal particles. Results are compared to earlier studies on PMMA/multi-walled nanotube (MWNT) composites and PMMA/single-walled nanotube (SWNT) composites. The beta relaxation process appeared to be unaffected by the presence of the soot, as was noted earlier in nanotube composites. The gamma relaxation region in PMMA, normally dielectrically inactive, was "awakened" in the PMMA/soot composite. This occurrence is consistent with previously published data on nanotube composites. The dielectric permittivity, s', increased with soot content. The sample with 1% soot exhibited a permittivity (at 100 Hz and 25 degrees C) of 7.3 as compared to 5.1 for neat PMMA. Soot increased the dielectric strength, deltaE, of the composites. The 1% soot sample exhibited a dielectric strength of 6.38, while the neat PMMA had a value of 2.95 at 40 degrees C. The symmetric broadening term (alpha) was slightly higher for the 1% composite at temperatures near the secondary relaxation and near the primary relaxation, but all samples deviated from symmetrical semi-circular behavior (alpha = 1). The impact of the soot filler is seen more clearly in dielectric properties than in mechanical properties studies conducted earlier.     

Effect of Temperature on Electrical and Thermal Properties on Carbon Soot Filled Polyester Graded Composites

This article reports the development, DC conductivity behavior of carbon soot filled polyester graded composites. Carbon soot filled polyester composites having 3 wt% of carbon soot powder and polyester resin were prepared. DC conductivity measurements were conducted on the graded composites by using an electrometer in the temperature range of 28°C to 150°C. DC conductivity increased with increase in carbon soot concentration in the composites; DC conductivity increased with the increase in temperature. Activation energy was calculated by using Arrhenius equation for graded samples exhibited electronic conduction. Linear dependence of pre-exponential factors on activation energy for carbon soot filled polyester graded composites reveals semi-conducting behavior of the composites.     

Effect of maleic anhydride modified MWCNTs on the morphology and dynamic mechanical properties of its PMMA composites

This study successfully grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with maleic anhydride (Mah-g-MWCNTs) via Friedel–Crafts acylation with the aluminum chloride catalyst (AlCl₃), investigated by Raman and TGA analysis. The covalent bonds and carboxylic groups of maleic anhydride provided additional active species, improving adhesion between the MWCNTs and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). This investigation also studied the morphology and dynamic mechanical properties of pristine MWCNTs (P-MWCNTs) and modified MWCNTs (Mah-g-MWCNTs) reinforced with PMMA. Findings show a homogeneous distribution of MWCNTs throughout the matrix for Mah-g-MWCNTs/PMMA composites, as revealed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The addition of both MWCNTs influenced the molecular arrangement of the PMMA matrix and also increased the dynamic mechanical properties of MWCNTs/PMMA composites. Glass transition temperature (Tg) and storage moduli (E′) of the Mah-g-MWCNTs/PMMA composites increased significantly comparing with P-MWCNTs/PMMA composites, attributed to improved interfacial adhesion between the reinforcement and the matrix. DMA studies revealed that adding 4.76 wt% Mah-g-MWCNTs into PMMA generates a 184% enhancement in the storage modulus and a 19 °C increase in Tg. However, adding 4.76 wt% P-MWCNTs into PMMA only generates 108% enhancement in the storage modulus and a 14 °C increase in Tg.     

Silane-modified MWCNT/PMMA composites – Preparation, electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity and thermal stability

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were modified using 3-isocyanato- propyltriethoxysilane (IPTES). Crosslinkable PMMA was prepared from MMA monomer and Vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) (PMMA–VTES). The IPTES-modified MWCNT (Si-MWCNT) was mixed with the PMMA–VTES copolymer and crosslinked with catalyst to form Si-MWCNT/PMMA–VTES composites. The degree of condensation of tri-distribution structure of the Si-MWCNT/PMMA–VTES composites decreases as the Si-MWCNT content increases. The morphology of the Si-MWCNT/PMMA–VTES composites was analyzed by SEM and TEM. The MWCNTs were well dispersed in the PMMA–VTES matrix. Surface and volume electrical resistivity decreased as the MWCNT content increased. The thermal conductivity of the PMMA–VTES composites increased by 87.5% when 0.99 wt% Si-MWCNT content was added to neat PMMA–VTES. The thermal stability of the PMMA–VTES in nitrogen and air increased significantly even when a small quantity (0.5 wt%) of Si-MWCNT was added.     

Electrical and mechanical properties of PMMA/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites prepared via in situ polymerization

We report the effect of filler incorporation techniques on the electrical and mechanical properties of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-filled poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites. Composites were prepared by three different techniques, viz. in situ polymerisation of MMA monomer in presence of RGO, bulk polymerization of MMA in presence of PMMA beads/RGO and by in situ polymerization of MMA in presence of RGO followed by sheet casting. In particular, the effect of incorporation of varying amounts (i.e. ranging from 0.1 to 2 % w/w) of RGO on the electrical, thermal, morphological and mechanical properties of PMMA was investigated. The electrical conductivity was found to be critically dependent on the amount of RGO as well as on the method of its incorporation. The electrical conductivity of 2 wt% RGO-loaded PMMA composite was increased by factor of 10⁷, when composites were prepared by in situ polymerization of MMA in the presence of RGO and PMMA beads, whereas, 10⁸ times increase in conductivity was observed at the same RGO content when composites were prepared by casting method. FTIR and Raman spectra suggested the presence of chemical interactions between RGO and PMMA matrix, whereas XRD patterns, SEM and HRTEM studies show that among three methods, the sheet-casting method gives better exfoliation and dispersion of RGO sheets within PMMA matrix. The superior thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of composites prepared by sheet-casting method provided a facile and logical route towards ultimate target of utilizing maximum fraction of intrinsic properties of graphene sheets.     

Dispersion of nanoplatelets of graphite on PMMA matrix by in situ polymerisation technique

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/expanded graphite (PMMA/EG) composites were prepared by the incorporation of EG in various proportions (1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) with PMMA by in situ polymerisation technique. The polymer composites were characterised by ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopies. The structural property of PMMA/EG nanocomposites was studied by X-ray diffraction. The scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of synthesised composites were taken in order to study their morphological properties. The conductivity of composites was measured as function of EG concentration. It was found that conductivity of composites gradually increased with the increase in EG loading. Oxygen permeability of PMMA/EG nanocomposites was calculated and it was found that the property was reduced substantially with rise of EG proportion. The thermal stability of PMMA/EG nanocomposites was improved by dispersion of EG with PMMA matrix.     

Correlation between dispersion state and electrical conductivity of MWCNTs/PP composites prepared by melt blending

Non-conductive polymers filled with conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) often do not show detectable conductivity due to poor dispersion of carbon nanotubes in the polymer matrix and the lack of conductive networks formed from CNTs. In this work, we attempted two ways to improve the dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a polypropylene (PP) matrix: chemical modification of MWCNTs and addition of a master batch as a compatibilizer, followed by melt blending using a micro-compounder. The relationship between the dispersion state of MWCNTs and the electrical conductivity of the CNTs/PP composites have been investigated by controlling several factors such as CNTs modification, compatibilization by a master batch, melt mixing, and post-heat treatment. The enhanced interfacial adhesion between the CNTs and the polymer could improve the dispersion of CNTs but it could also reduce the electrical conductivity of the composites. Meanwhile, it is interestingly found that the post-heat treatment could increase the conductivity remarkably due to the connection of CNTs into networks. Thus, it is concluded that the balance between dispersion of CNTs and the formation of conductive networks plays an important role in enhancing the electrical conductivity of composites.     

导电PMMA/ATO纳米复合材料的制备及性能

以掺锑二氧化锡(ATO)粉为导电填料,聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)为基体,采用原位聚合法制备了导电PMMA/ATO纳米复合材料;分析了ATO粉的预处理对复合材料导电性能的影响,并对其热性能和力学性能进行了研究。结果表明,延长球磨时间,可大幅度降低复合材料的体积电阻率;ATO纳米粒子的加入使PMMA主分解温度范围变窄,残余量增大,热稳定性提高;随着纳米粒子含量的增加,复合材料的储能模量提高,玻璃化温度降低。第二分相促使ATO颗粒在基体中形成明显的导电网络结构,使导电性能得到进一步提高。     

PAN-based carbon fibers/PMMA composites: thermal, dielectric, and DC electrical properties

The study deals with thermal, dielectric, and DC electrical properties of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibers/poly(methyl methacrylate) composites. The polymer composites contain 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 wt.% PAN-based carbon fibers. The thermal conductivity was studied as a function of filler content and temperature. It was found that the thermal conductivity is enhanced by addition of carbon fibers concentration and temperature. The dielectric properties were determined using impedance measurements. The results showed that the dielectric constant and dielectric loss are decreased with frequency, and increased with both temperature and fibers content. The DC electrical conductivity, temperature coefficient of resistance, and activation energy were studied as a function of fibers concentration in the temperature ranges 30–110?°C. It was found that the composites exhibit negative temperature coefficient of resistivity and enhancement of electrical conductivity with increasing temperature and carbon fibers concentration. The observed increase in the DC conductivity was explained according to the approach of conductive paths and connections between the carbon fibers.     

Solvent exfoliated graphene for reinforcement of PMMA composites prepared by in situ polymerization

Graphene (GP)-based polymer nanocomposites have attracted considerable scientific attention due to its pronounced improvement in mechanical, thermal and electrical properties compared with pure polymers. However, the preparation of well-dispersed and high-quality GP reinforced polymer composites remains a challenge. In this paper, a simple and facile approach for preparation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) functionalized GP (GPMMA) via in situ free radical polymerization is reported. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), Raman, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) are used to confirm the successful grafting of PMMA chains onto the GP sheets. Composite films are prepared by incorporating different amounts of GPMMA into the PMMA matrix through solution-casting method. Compared with pure PMMA, PMMA/GPMMA composites show simultaneously improved Young's modulus, tensile stress, elongation at break and thermal stability by addition of only 0.5 wt% GPMMA. The excellent reinforcement is attributed to good dispersion of high-quality GPMMA and strong interfacial adhesion between GPMMA and PMMA matrix as evidenced by scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the fracture surfaces. Consequently, this simple protocol has great potential in the preparation of various high-performance polymer composites.     

Effect of interface modification on PMMA/graphene nanocomposites

Graphene platelets (GnPs) were surface modified with a long-chain surfactant B200, and then compounded with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). B200 provided an anchor into GnPs and a bridge into the matrix, thus creating molecular entanglement between matrix and GnPs. The interface modification promoted the dispersion of GnPs, as no aggregates of GnPs were observed on the fracture surface of the modified composites, in sharp contrast with the unmodified composites. Although GnPs formed clusters in the matrix, bilayer graphene was readily observed under TEM in randomly selected regions; it showed high structural integrity under diffraction pattern. The addition of 2.7 vol% m-GnPs produced 32.8 % improvement in the flexural modulus of PMMA as compared to 9.0 % by unmodified GnPs. At 1.1 vol%, the interface-modified composite showed a 19.6 % improvement in the absorption resistance to ethanol, in comparison with 3.8 % for the unmodified composites. The addition of 2.7 vol% m-GnPs improved fracture toughness of PMMA by 79.2 %, while GnPs enhanced it by 23.9 %.     

PMMA/CaCO3纳米复合材料的制备与性能

用硅烷偶联剂KH-570对纳米CaCO3表面进行改性处理,采用原位聚合法制备了聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)/CaCO3纳米复合材料,用溶解实验、扫描电镜(SEM)、红外光谱(FT-IR)等方法对纳米CaCO3粒子和PMMA基体之间的界面相容性进行了表征,考察了复合材料的力学性能.结果表明,纳米CaCO3在基体中可能起到...     

碳纳米管的加入对PMMA强度和导电性能的影响

本文研究了ＰＭＭＡ与碳纳米管的原位复合过程、复合体强度及电学性能，结果表明，碳纳米管与ＰＭＭＡ原位复合时，将参与ＭＭＡ的链式聚合反应，这不仅影响了ＭＭＡ的聚合过程和复合体的强度，而且影响了碳纳米管在基体ＰＭＭＡ中的分散度。适当推迟碳纳米管的加入时间，将提高ＰＭＭＡ的强度，碳纳米管的加入也将提高ＰＭＭＡ的导电性能。     

多功能nano ZnO/PMMA复合材料的制备与性能

采用一种简单、环保的方法原位制备了纳米ZnO/聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯（nano ZnO/PMMA）复合材料,并对其抗紫外性质、透明性、光致发光性质和抗菌性进行了研究。以乙醇为溶剂在30℃溶解单体、引发剂、前驱体和催化剂;升温到80℃使甲基丙烯酸甲酯（MMA）的聚合与ZnO的合成同时进行;蒸发去除溶剂即可获得nano ZnO/PMMA复合材料。采用XRD、FTIR、TEM和UV-Vis对nano ZnO/PMMA复合材料进行表征。结果表明,已成功制备nano ZnO/PMMA复合材料;所制备的nano ZnO/PMMA复合材料能够吸收200~400 nm的紫外辐射,且在可见光区域具有高的透明度;光致发光测试表明,nano ZnO/PMMA复合材料在紫外光激发下能够发出明亮的蓝绿光;抗菌测试表明,nano ZnO/PMMA复合材料对金黄色葡萄球菌具有显著的抗菌效果,其抗菌率大于99%。多功能nano ZnO/PMMA复合材料在紫外屏蔽涂层、抗紫外有机玻璃、荧光材料、抗菌塑料制品等诸多领域有潜在应用。     

Synthesis,characterization and low frequency a.c. conduction of polyaniline/fly ash composites

In situ polymerization of aniline was carried out in the presence of fly ash (FA) to synthesize polyaniline/ fly ash (PANI/FA) composites. The PANI/FA composites have been synthesized with various compositions (15, 20, 30 and 40 wt%) of FA in PANI. The composites, thus synthesized have been characterized by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The morphology of these samples was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Further the a.c. conductivity of these composites have been investigated in the frequency range 10²–10⁶ Hz. The presence of polarons and bipolarons are made responsible for frequency dependence of a.c. conductivity in these composites. The Cole-Cole plots indicate clear shift in the distribution of relaxation times as the wt% of FA in PANI changes. These composites show almost symmetric semicircles of Cole-Cole plots indicating the Debye-type relaxation in their polarization response.     

Computational and experimental study of interfacial bonding of single-walled nanotube reinforced composites

In the development of nanotube reinforced polymer composites, one of the fundamental issues that scientists and engineers are confronting is the nanotube/polymer interfacial bonding, which will determine load transfer capability from the polymer matrix to the nanotube. In this paper, the interfacial bonding of single-walled nanotube (SWNT) reinforced epoxy composites was investigated using a combination of computational and experimental methods. The interfacial bonding was predicted using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations based on a cured epoxy resin model, which was constructed by incorporating three-dimensional cross-links formed during curing reaction. Based on the pullout simulations, the interfacial shear strength between the nanotube and the cured epoxy resin was calculated to be up to 75 MPa, indicating that there could be an effective stress transfer from the epoxy resin to the nanotube. In the experiments, single-walled nanotube reinforced epoxy composites were fabricated, characterized and analyzed. The uniform dispersion and good interfacial bonding of the nanotubes in the epoxy resin resulted in a 250–300% increase in storage modulus with the addition of 20–30 wt% nanotubes. These experimental results provided evidence of stress transfer in agreement with the simulation results.     

Structure and properties of melt-processed PVDF/PMMA/polyaniline blends

Ternary blends composed of the matrix polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with different proportions of thermally doped polyaniline (PAni) using an alkylated dopant (dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid) (DBSA) were prepared by melt mixing. The effectiveness of these blends was compared with the corresponding binary blends of PVDF or PMMA with PAni–DBSA complex. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and morphological studies by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were carried out to characterize the blends in light of the interactions between their components and on the resulting electrical conductivity. Though a notable dispersion of PAni–DBSA in the PMMA matrix was incurred along with better conductivity with respect to PVDF/PAni–DBSA and PVDF/PMMA/PAni–DBSA blends, the thin films based on PMMA/PAni–DBSA were found to be fragile in nature. However, the presence of PMMA in the ternary blends of PVDF/PMMA/PAni–DBSA provided improved dispersion of PAni–DBSA in the PVDF/PMMA host matrix as compared to PVDF/PAni–DBSA binary blends. An enhancement in the conductivity by about two orders of magnitude at >5 wt% PAni–DBSA was witnessed in the ternary blends than that of PVDF/PAni–DBSA binary blends. Thin films made of ternary blends of PVDF/PMMA/PAni–DBSA also offered superior mechanical properties and flexibility than that of PMMA/PAni–DBSA binary blends due to the contribution of PVDF in the blend.     

聚氨酯/二氧化硅包覆多壁碳纳米管复合材料的导热与电绝缘性能

通过溶胶-凝胶法制备了厚度为30nm-50nm的二氧化硅(SiO2)包覆多壁碳纳米管(SiO2-MWNTs),并与聚氨酯(PU)复合制备了PU/SiO2-MWNT复合材料。研究了SiO2-MWNTs对PU导热电绝缘性能的影响。结果表明,SiO2包覆层增强了MWNTs与PU之间的界面相互作用,促进了MWNTs在PU中的分散。由于SiO2包覆层的电绝缘作用,PU/SiO2-MWNT复合材料保持了PU的电绝缘性能。同时SiO2包覆层作为过渡层,降低了PU与MWNTs间的模量失配,减少了声子的界面散射,提高了PU/SiO2-MWNT复合材料的导热性能。当SiO2-MWNTs的质量分数为0.5%和1.0%时,PU/SiO2-MWNT复合材料的热导率分别提高了53.7%和63.8%。     

Mechanical properties of TiO2-filled CNT/PMMA composites

ABSTRACT

The present study investigated the effect of TiO₂ fillers on the mechanical properties of CNT/PMMA composites. TiO₂/PMMA/CNT composites were prepared by using twin screw extruder and test samples by injection moulding. Results indicated that incorporation of CNT in PMMA causes decreases in tensile stress, elongation at break, and on impact properties. It is observed that addition of CNT and TiO₂ seems to be beneficial in increasing mechanical strength via increasing the interface dispersed phase.     

Single-walled carbon nanotube incorporated novel three phase carbon/epoxy composite with enhanced properties

In the present work, single-walled carbon nanotubes were dispersed within the matrix of carbon fabric reinforced epoxy composites in order to develop novel three phase carbon/epoxy/single-walled carbon nanotube composites. A combination of ultrasonication and high speed mechanical stirring at 2000 rpm was used to uniformly disperse carbon nanotubes in the epoxy resin. The state of carbon nanotube dispersion in the epoxy resin and within the nanocomposites was characterized with the help of optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Pure carbon/epoxy and three phase composites were characterized for mechanical properties (tensile and compressive) as well as for thermal and electrical conductivity. Fracture surfaces of composites after tensile test were also studied in order to investigate the effect of dispersed carbon nanotubes on the failure behavior of composites. Dispersion of only 0.1 wt% nanotubes in the matrix led to improvements of 95% in Young's modulus, 31% in tensile strength, 76% in compressive modulus and 41% in compressive strength of carbon/epoxy composites. In addition to that, electrical and thermal conductivity also improved significantly with addition of carbon nanotubes.