Synthesis and characterization of polystyrene carbon nanotube nanocomposite for utilization in the displaced foam dispersion methodology

Abstract

Incorporating nanostructured functional constituents within polymers has become extensive in processes and products for manufacturing composites. The conception of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their heralded attributes that yield property enhancements to the carrier system is leading many industries and research endeavors. Reported Displaced Foam Dispersion (DFD) methodology is a novel and effective approach to facilitating the incorporation of CNTs within fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPC). The methodology consists of six separate solubility phases that lead to the manufacture of CNT-FRPCs. This study was primarily initiated to characterize the interaction parameters of nanomaterials (multiwalled carbon nanotubes), polymers (polystyrene), and solvents (dimethyl formamide (DMF) and acetone) in the current paradigm of the DFD materials manufacture. Secondly we sought to illustrate the theoretical potential for the methodology to be used in conjunction with other nanomaterial-polymer-solvent systems. Herein, the theory of Hansen's solubility parameters (HSP) is employed to explain the effectiveness of the DFD materials manufacture ratios and aid in the explanation of the experimental results. The results illustrate quantitative values for the relative energy differences between each polymer-solvent system. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in each of the solubility stages and culminates with an indication of good dispersion. Additionally, the rate of acetone evaporation over 25 min is reported for the sorbed CNTaffy nanocomposites from 0 to approximately 60 wt percent loadings.

Publication Title

Composites Part B: Engineering

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