Surfactant-Assisted Processing of Carbon Nanotube/Polymer Composites

• Published in: Chemistry of materials Vol. 12; no. 4; pp. 1049 - 1052
• Main Authors: Gong, Xiaoyi, Liu, Jun, Baskaran, Suresh, Voise, Roger D, Young, James S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.04.2000
• Subjects: Applied sciences; CARBON FIBERS; Composites; ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; INTERFACES; Polymer industry, paints, wood; POLYMERS; SURFACTANTS; Technology of polymers; Elastic modulus; Non ionic surfactant; Fiber reinforced material; Nanotube; Mechanical properties; Epoxy resin; Surfactant polymer; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Glass transition temperature; Composite material; Ethylene oxide polymer; Additive; Manufacturing; Carbon fiber
• ISSN: 0897-4756; 1520-5002
• DOI: 10.1021/cm9906396

Interfacial interaction is one of the most critical issues in carbon nanotube/polymer composites. In this paper the role of nonionic surfactant is investigated. With the surfactant as the processing aid, the addition of only 1 wt % carbon nanotubes in the composite increases the glass transition temperature from 63 °C to 88 °C. The elastic modulus is also increased by more than 30%. In contrast, the addition of carbon nanotubes without the surfactant only has moderate effects on the glass transition temperature and on the mechanical properties. This work points to the pathways to improve dispersion and to modify interfacial bonding in carbon nanotube/polymer composites.