Polymer/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites made by solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP): Processing, dispersion and properties

Jun'ichi Masuda*, Kosmas G. Kasimatis, John M. Torkelson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Low levels of well-dispersed carbon nanotube (CNT) are known to yield polymer nanocomposites with enhanced properties. However, the high surface-to-volume ratio and the entanglements within samples of as-received CNTs can severely limit the ability of conventional, industrially scalable process methods to achieve a well-dispersed state. To address this issue, various multiwall carbon nanotubes have been incorporated into polypropylene (PP) by a continuous process called solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP). The SSSP process yielded dispersion of the originally large, heavily entangled agglomerates into significantly dispersed, small agglomerates of CNTs with incorporated PP. Subsequent melt processing of the nanocomposites made by SSSP resulted in single CNTs dispersed throughout the PP matrix. The ability of SSSP followed by melt processing to yield a well-dispersed state of CNTs in PP was studied as a function of the initial structure of CNT (diameter, length and degree of entanglement).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSociety of Plastics Engineers - 66th Annual Technical Conference of the Society of Plastics Engineers, Plastics Encounter at ANTEC 2008
Pages2046-2050
Number of pages5
StatePublished - 2008
Event66th Annual Technical Conference of the Society of Plastics Engineers, Plastics Encounter at ANTEC 2008 - Milwaukee, WI, United States
Duration: May 4 2008May 8 2008

Publication series

NameTechnical Papers, Regional Technical Conference - Society of Plastics Engineers
Volume4

Other

Other66th Annual Technical Conference of the Society of Plastics Engineers, Plastics Encounter at ANTEC 2008
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMilwaukee, WI
Period5/4/085/8/08

Keywords

  • Carbon nanotubes
  • Dispersion
  • Mechanical properties
  • Polypropylene
  • Solid-state shear pulverization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Materials Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Polymer/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites made by solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP): Processing, dispersion and properties'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this