The influence of carbon nanotube aspect ratio on the foam morphology of MWNT/PMMA nanocomposite foams

Polymer nanocomposite foams, products from the foaming of polymer nanocomposites, have received increasing attention in both the scientific and industrial communities. Nanocomposite foams filled with carbon nanofibers or carbon nanotubes with high electrical conductivity, enhanced mechanical properties, and low density are potential effective electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. The EMI shielding efficiency depends on the electrical conductivity and bubble density, which in turn, depend on the properties of the filler. In the current study, multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) with controlled aspect ratio were used to alter the bubble density in MWNT/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites. It was found that the nanocomposite foams filled with shorter MWNT had higher bubble density under the same foaming conditions and MWNT concentration. Both the ends and sidewalls of carbon nanotubes can act as heterogeneous bubble nucleation sites, but the ends are more effective compared to the sidewalls. Shorter nanotubes provide more ends at constant MWNT concentration compared to long nanotubes. As a result, the difference in the foam morphology, particularly the bubble density, is due to the difference in the number of effective bubble nucleation sites.