Current Research Status and Application of Polymer/Carbon Nanofiller Buckypaper: A Review

With recent development in the field of polymer-based composite paper, buckypaper technology has gained considerable research attention. Conventionally, polymeric composites have been fabricated using carbon nanofiller (carbon nanotube, graphene, and graphene oxide) reinforcement in polymer matrix. In buckypaper technology, freestanding thin porous nanofiller network is formed using various papermaking techniques, which may further improve physical properties of polymer/carbon nanofiller buckypaper composite. This review also aims to report technical aspects of polymer/carbon nanotube, polymer/graphene, and polymer/graphene oxide-based composite paper. Special emphasis is given to the application of polymer/carbon nanofiller buckypaper in fuel cell, batteries, sensor, artificial muscles, fire retardant materials, and liquid crystal cells.     

A Review on Properties and Fabrication Techniques of Polymer/Carbon Nanotube Composites and Polymer Intercalated Buckypapers

This review is a comprehensive source for synthesis, functionalization, and physical properties of polymer/carbon nanotube nanocomposites. The effectiveness of processing methods for carbon nanotube reinforcement in matrix for proper dispersion and appropriate interfacial adhesion is discussed. The novelty of polymer/carbon nanotube buckypaper fabrication with preformed networks through microfiltration of nanotube suspension has also been discussed. Moreover, preparation, properties, and manufacturing proficiencies of buckypaper are reviewed. Different approaches of intertwining buckypaper through infiltration, compression, soaking, and dry transfer have been analyzed. The polymer/carbon nanotube buckypaper obtained by vacuum infiltration has micron-scale bicontinuous morphology and improved thermal properties due to effectual heat transfer within nanotube rich phase.     

Electromagnetic Interference Shielding of Polymer/Nanodiamond,Polymer/Carbon Nanotube,and Polymer/Nanodiamond–Carbon Nanotube Nanobifiller Composite: A Review

In this review, properties and potential of carbon nanotube, nanodiamond, and nanodiamond–carbon nanotube hybrid nanobifiller have been discussed with reference to electromagnetic interference shielding materials. The nanodiamond and carbon nanotube nanofiller and nanodiamond–carbon nanotube nanobifiller have outstanding electrical, thermal, and mechanical features. Main focus of review was electromagnetic interference shielding phenomenon and its implication in polymer/nanodiamond, polymer/carbon nanotube, and polymer/nanodiamond–carbon nanotube nanobifiller composite. The epoxy/nanodiamond, epoxy/carbon nanotube, and epoxy/nanodiamond–carbon nanotube composites have been discussed with electromagnetic interference shielding shielding features. Thus, considerable enhancement in electromagnetic interference shielding shielding features was observed using higher nanodiamond, carbon nanotube, and nanodiamond–carbon nanotube loadings. Significance and future potential of these polymeric composite are specified.     

A Review on Composite Papers of Graphene Oxide,Carbon Nanotube,Polymer/GO,and Polymer/CNT: Processing Strategies,Properties, and Relevance

In this review, particular importance is given to the fabrication and properties of carbon nanotube and graphene oxide-based paper-like materials (buckypapers). Different strategies for the reduction and functionalization of graphene oxide were also discussed. The chemistry of buckypapers is conversed with special emphasis on structure and essential characteristics of buckypaper. Various techniques for buckypaper processing have been critically reviewed including significance of each method. Moreover, importance of polymer/graphene oxide and polymer/carbon nanotube composite papers has been highlighted. Due to outstanding physical, thermal, and electrical properties, polymer-based buckypapers are potentially important as nanofilters, fuel cell components, and miniaturization of electrical connections.     

Exploitation of Nanobifiller in Polymer/Graphene Oxide–Carbon Nanotube,Polymer/Graphene Oxide–Nanodiamond,and Polymer/Graphene Oxide–Montmorillonite Composite: A Review

In this article, a comprehensive review is presented regarding structure, synthesis, and properties of nanofillers such as graphene oxide, nanobifiller of graphene oxide, and their polymeric nanocomposite. The information about hybrid properties and synthesis of graphene oxide–carbon nanotube, graphene oxide–montmorillonite, and graphene oxide–nanodiamond is presented. Use of nanobifiller in polymer/graphene oxide–carbon nanotube, polymer/graphene oxide–montmorillonite, and polymer/graphene oxide–nanodiamond composites was summarized. Area of polymer and graphene oxide-based nanobifiller composites is less studied in literature. Therefore, nanobifiller technology limitations and research challenges must be focused. Polymer/graphene oxide nanobifiller composites have a wide range of unexplored potential in technological areas such as automobile, aerospace, energy, and medical industries.     

A Review on Polymeric Nanocomposites of Nanodiamond,Carbon Nanotube,and Nanobifiller: Structure,Preparation and Properties

In this review, an overview of various types of nanofillers is presented with special emphasis on structure, synthesis and properties of carbon nanotube, nanodiamond, and nanobifiller of carbon nanotube/nanodiamond, carbon nanotube/graphene oxide and carbon nanotube/graphene. In addition, polymer/carbon nanotube, polymer/nanodiamond, and polymer/nanobifiller composites have been discussed. The efficacy of different fabrication techniques for nanocomposites (solution casting, in-situ, and melt blending method) and their properties were also discussed in detail. Finally, we have summarized the challenges and future prospects of polymer nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanofillers hoping to facilitate progress in the emerging area of nanobifiller technology.     

Interpenetrating polymer network and nanocomposite IPN of polyurethane/epoxy: a review on fundamentals and advancements

This article presents state-of-the-art review on interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) formation by polyurethane/epoxy (PU/EP). PU is thermoplastic polymer with fine mechanical strength, chemical resistance, processability, and thermal stability. EP resins also possess unique chemical and physical properties, though it is rigid and brittle. Amalgamation of two polymers have resulted in improved mechanical, thermal, damping, and glass transition behavior. PU/EP IPN and nanocomposite containing carbon nanotube, graphene oxide, nanodiamond, nanoclay, and various other nanoparticles have been discussed. Commercial implication and future prospects of PU/EP-crosslinked network and nanocomposite IPN are foreseen in high-performance engineering materials, automotive and aerospace, and biomedical devices.     

Thermal properties of phosphorylated nanodiamond reinforced polyimides

Recently, the preparation of nanodiamond–polymer composites has attracted the attention of materials scientists due to the unique properties of nanodiamonds. In this study, novel polyimide (PI)/phosphorylated nanodiamonds (PNDs) composites were prepared. PNDs were achieved from the reaction of methylphosphonic dichloride with nanodiamonds in dichloromethane. Precursor of polyimide, which is the poly(amic acid) (PAA), was successfully synthesized with 3,3′, 4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride and 4,4′‐oxydianiline in the solution of N,N‐dimethylformamide. Different ratios of phosphorylated nanodiamond particles were added into PAA solution and four different nanocomposite films were prepared. The amount of PNDs in the composite films was varied from 0 wt% to 3 wt%. The structure, thermal and surface properties of polyimide films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ATR‐FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, and contact angle. SEM and FTIR results showed that the phosphorylated nanodiamond and PI/PNDs films were successfully prepared. Phosphorylated nanodiamonds were homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix and they displayed good compatibility. TGA results showed that the thermo‐oxidative stability of PI/PNDs films was increased with the increasing amount of phosphorylated nanodiamond. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2285–2292, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

高聚物型防静电剂的研制及对感光材料的表面处理

本文总结了一项用于感光材料工业的高聚物型防静电剂的研究成果,论述了其技术背景、产品生产方法、工艺流程、原料规格和成品物化性能指标。介绍了此防静电剂在医用及工业X射线胶片生产中的应用方法和实际效果。通过对此试验数据证实了高聚物型防静电剂在感光材料工业表面处理过程中所起到的显著效用。     

Fabrication and characterization of polymer composites surface coated Fe3O4/MWCNTs hybrid buckypaper as a novel microwave‐absorbing structure

A naval hybrid buckypaper was fabricated by vacuum filtration method with monodispersion solution of Fe₃O₄ decorated Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The morphology, element composition and phase structure of hybrid buckypaper were characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer, and X‐ray diffraction. The microwave absorption and complex electromagnetic properties of the composites surface coated MWCNTs buckypaper (or Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs hybrid buckypaper) have been investigated in the frequency range of 8–18 GHz. The results indicate that the microwave absorption properties of composite structure have been evidently improved due to the Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs hybrid buckypaper' high magnetic loss and suitable dielectric loss properties. The reflection loss of composite surface coated Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs hybrid buckypaper (with a matching thickness d = 0.1 mm) is below ?10 dB in the frequency range of 13–18 GHz, and the minimum value is ?15.3 dB at 15.7 GHz. Thus, Fe₃O₄/MWCNTs hybrid buckypaper can become a promising candidate for electromagnetic‐wave‐absorption materials with strong‐absorption, thin‐thickness and light‐weight characteristics. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41974.     

微纳层叠聚合物复合材料研究进展

综述了微纳层叠技术制备聚合物体系的最新进展,简单介绍了微纳层叠技术的工艺流程,详细介绍了微纳层叠技术对复合材料在电学性能、阻隔性能、力学性能、光学性能、形状记忆方面的提升作用;最后,对微纳层叠技术未来的发展前景进行了展望。     

Nanodiamond-based PP/EPDM thermoplastic elastomer composites: Microstructure,tribo-dynamic,and thermal properties

Attempts have been made for the first time to employ graphitized nanodiamond with the cage-like structure to prepare thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) nanocomposites based on polypropylene (PP) and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), with improved tribo-dynamic properties. Samples were prepared via melt mixing process, and maleated polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) was used to promote the interfacial interactions between the components and partitioning of nanodiamond particles in polymer phases. Microstructure characterization revealed significant reduction in the size of EPDM droplets if nanodiamond particles are preferentially wetted by the polypropylene phase. Nanoindentation and scratch tests performed on the surface of prepared nanocomposites exhibited enhanced surface stiffness and scratch resistance. Rheomechanical spectroscopy (RMS) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMTA) showed enhanced melt elasticity for the interfacially compatibilized nanocomposites, which is attributed to the antiplasticizing characteristics of the caged shape nanodiamond particles. More interestingly, nanodiamond particles exhibited plasticizing behavior for the nanocomposite in molten state. All interfacially compatibilized nanodiamond composites showed enhanced thermal resistivity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Nanodiamond-mediated crystallization in fibers of PANI nanocomposites produced by template-free polymerization: Conductive and thermal properties of the fibrillar networks

The detonation nanodiamond is a novel versatile nanomaterial with tunable properties and surface chemistry. In this work, we report on a template-free method to synthesize polyaniline based nanocomposite fibers during a chemical oxidative precipitation polymerization where the cooperative interactions between nanodiamond and polyaniline nucleates trigger the final morphology of the nanocomposite. FE–SEM and TEM observations evidence the prominent growth of fibril-like structures assembled in 2-D networks of tightly woven, partially oriented fibers. Optical and Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the polymer chains are in a protonated emeraldine form and organize themselves in a highly ordered 3-D spatial arrangement. Conductivity measurements performed on isolated fibers by a conductive tip of an AFM apparatus highlight that the diamond filler does not affect the conductive properties of the polyaniline matrix while increases the thermal stability of the polymer as confirmed by TGA studies.     

Buckypapers of 4,4′-oxydianiline-modified polyvinylchloride and functional nano-filler obtained by resin infusion method

This study provides information on the fabrication and characterization of polyvinylchloride (PVC) buckypaper composite using resin infusion method. PVC modified with 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) was infiltrated through buckypapers made of purified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (P-MWCNTs) and functionalized MWCNTs (F-MWCNTs). The increases in P-MWCNT and F-MWCNT contents were investigated on the physical properties of BP-PVC-ODA/PEG (polyethylene glycol)/P-MWCNT and BP-PVC-ODA/PEG/F-MWCNT buckypaper composites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used for the functional group confirmation which proved the PVC modification and functionality of MWCNTs. The scanning electron micrographs of BP-PVC-ODA/PEG/F-MWCNT showed that intercalation of cross-linked polymer with nanotube produced a polymer-coated F-MWCNT mesh. The maximum degradation temperature (T _max) of functional composite BP-PVC-ODA/PEG/F-MWCNT 0.05 (484 °C) was higher than that of non-functional BP-PVC-ODA/PEG/P-MWCNT 0.05 (473 °C). The glass transition temperature (T _g) of BP-PVC-ODA/PEG/F-MWCNT 0.05 was 225 °C, while BP-PVC-ODA/PEG/F-MWCNT 0.03 yielded a lower T _g of 214 °C. Tensile strength of the functional buckypaper was also found to increase to 37.3 MPa with filler loading. According to X-ray diffraction, the amorphous character of buckypaper showed a trend towards crystal formation with filler loading. P-MWCNT-based buckypaper showed an electrical conductivity up to 4.12 × 10^?1 S/cm; lower than the electrical conductivity of functional buckypaper (1.98 S/cm). The results demonstrated that the resin infusion technique was a successful method to achieve high performance buckypapers compared with F-MWCNTs.     

Polymer/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanocomposites: An overview of fire retardance

A review is presented of the recent developments concerning the use of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) for designing polymer nanocomposites endowed with enhanced fire retardancy. Emphasis is placed on the scientific and technological advances in the use of POSS as fire retardants, as well as on the achievements and challenges associated to the exploitation of POSS either alone or in combination with conventional fire retardants to provide the required fire retardancy to polymer materials. Polymer/POSS nanocomposites show a great potential to provide materials characterized by improved fire retardancy together with superior physical properties and environmental neutrality. Achievements obtained with POSS in fire retardancy are presented for the different types of polymer materials and critically discussed, especially in terms of the modes of fire retardant action, in the attempt to reveal attractive strategies for successful development of the next generation of polymer/POSS materials and applications.     

Engineering detonation nanodiamond - Polyaniline composites by electrochemical routes: Structural features and functional characterizations

Novel detonation nanodiamond (DND) - polyaniline (PANI) composite systems have been prepared by electrochemical polymerization techniques. Thanks to the use of two different electrochemical methods, i.e. cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry, it has been possible to emphasize the influence of DND particles on the nucleation mechanism of the conducting polymer. In particular, the presence of DND into the reaction environment has proven to modulate the organization of the aniline oligomers into π-stacked aggregates and to induce the production of one-dimensional nanostructures. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the morphology of the final composites. The protonated conducting form of the PANI matrix has been evidenced by Raman spectroscopy and the ionic/electronic transport of the PANI-DND systems was tested by means of electrocatalysis measurements toward the iodine/iodide redox couple. Based on the present experimental data, the use of nanodiamond as filler for conducting polymer based nanocomposite represents not only a fascinating challenge for the production of advanced technological applications but it can also be exploited for the controlled growth of polymeric units and for the fabrication of tailored polymeric architectures.     

Synthesis of ultrafine fibers from L- and D,L-isomers of polylactide by electrospinning

This paper is devoted to study of the process of electrospinning fiber materials based on biodegradable and biocompatible polylactides in L and D,L isomer forms. We assess the effect of the rheological properties of the polymer solutions on the course of the process and we establish the optimal synthesis parameters and conditions for obtaining microfiber materials. We examine the effect of the properties of the polymer solution and technological characteristics of the spinning process on the structure and functional properties of material made from polylactide. Therapeutic drugs are incorporated into the fiber structure.     

A theoretical evaluation of the effects of carbon nanotube entanglement and bundling on the structural and mechanical properties of buckypaper

Structural formation mechanisms of carbon nanotube (CNT) buckypaper and their effects on its mechanical properties are studied with numerical simulations. A bond swap algorithm, resulting from coupling the molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo methods, has been developed to equilibrate initial structures of buckypaper, generated by a random walk approach. Entanglement and bundling mechanisms are found to affect major structural features of buckypaper. Both mechanisms are evaluated quantitatively by calculating the entanglement network and pore size of buckypaper. Compared with (8,8)-(12,12) double-walled CNT, the structure of (5,5) single-walled CNT buckypaper is mainly dominated by entanglement, due to its smaller adhesion energy. We show that the pore size of modeled buckypaper, containing both types of CNTs, can be tuned from 7 nm to 50 nm by increasing the double-walled CNT content from 0 wt% to 100 wt%, due to the transformation from entanglement-dominated to bundling-dominated structures. Such an observation agrees exceptionally well with experimental results. Both entanglement and bundling mechanisms are also found to play important roles in the mechanical properties of buckypaper. The findings open a way to tailor both structural and mechanical properties of buckypaper, such as Young’s modulus or Poisson’s ratio, by using different CNTs and their mixtures.     

Anisotropic buckypaper through shear-induced mechanical alignment of carbon nanotubes in water

A simple method for aligning nanotubes in buckypaper with a modified Taylor–Couette system is reported. Using shear forces produced by a rotating cylinder to orient multi-walled carbon nanotubes in a surfactant-assisted aqueous dispersion, the suspended nanotubes are simultaneously aligned and filtered. The resulting buckypaper is composed of nanotubes with preferential orientation in the direction of flow and possesses anisotropic electrical and mechanical properties, which are both enhanced parallel to the direction of orientation. The technique presented here requires no specialized equipment and can be implemented with any type of carbon nanotube synthesized by any method. Furthermore, the size of the buckypaper sheets can be easily increased by adjusting the length and diameter of the cylinders in the setup, offering the possibility for low-cost production of large quantities of oriented buckypaper.     

Thermally conducting polymer/nanocarbon and polymer/inorganic nanoparticle nanocomposite: a review

ABSTRACT

This review addresses fundamentals and progress in field of thermally conducting polymer/nanocarbon nanocomposite. Upsurge in thermal conductivity of materials may lead to rapid heat diffusion, which in turn may prevent degradation. Thermally conductive nanofillers (carbon nanotube, graphene, nanodiamond, inorganics) have been effectively employed to form desired nanocomposite. In polymer/nanocarbon nanocomposites, thermal conductivity depends on nanofiller type, dispersion, loading level, polymer nature, morphology, and crystallinity. Thermal conductivity parameter has been significantly considered in aerospace, automotive, electronics, and energy-related industries, where thermal dissipation has become a challenging problem. In future, it is desired to design high performance nanocomposites with manageable thermal conduction.