Dispersion and major property enhancements in polymer/multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposites via solid-state shear pulverization followed by melt mixing

Jun'ichi Masuda, John M. Torkelson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

142 Scopus citations

Abstract

A continuous, solventless, scalable process called solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP) in conjunction with melt mixing (MM) to produce well-dispersed polymer/multiwall CNT (MWCNT) nanocomposites was investigated. Polypropylene and two types of MWCNT was synthesized by FE-SEM were prepared by making a CNT suspension in 50/50 w/w deionized water/2-propanol through low-level bath type sonication for 1.5 h with poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) as dispersant and casting on plasma-treated Si wafers. Crystallization was measured at 411 K by differential scanning calorimetry after annealing at 513 K for 5 minutes. The result shows that in nanocomposites made by SSSP, the CNT agglomerates are sharply reduced in size, forming loose structures interpenetrated by PP. Due to poor dispersion, the melt-mixed hybrid exhibits the slowest crystallization of the PP/CNT-1 systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5974-5977
Number of pages4
JournalMacromolecules
Volume41
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 26 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dispersion and major property enhancements in polymer/multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposites via solid-state shear pulverization followed by melt mixing'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this