CNT Enhanced PolymersCNT Enhanced Polymers

James MejiaJames Mejia

MEEN 3344MEEN 3344

What is a Carbon Nanotube?What is a Carbon Nanotube?

It is a hollow, cylindrical carbon molecule It is a hollow, cylindrical carbon molecule About a nanometer in diameterAbout a nanometer in diameter Are grown as Multi-walled, Single-walled, Are grown as Multi-walled, Single-walled,

Double-walled and FibersDouble-walled and Fibers

How is it used?How is it used?

CNT must first be functionalized to be used a CNT must first be functionalized to be used a fillers fillers

This can done through chemical exfoliation and This can done through chemical exfoliation and dispersion (ex: Zyvex’s Kentera ),also sonication dispersion (ex: Zyvex’s Kentera ),also sonication

It is then dispersed into the host polymer, such It is then dispersed into the host polymer, such as Polyurethane, Teflon, paint, etc.as Polyurethane, Teflon, paint, etc.

Untreated multi-wall nanotubes vs.

Zyvex functionalized nanotubes

“ “Bridge” Additive Bridge” Additive

Enhancement PropertiesEnhancement Properties

Very high tensile strength Very high tensile strength High thermal conductivityHigh thermal conductivity High aspect ratio: lower High aspect ratio: lower

wt% loading needed for wt% loading needed for enhancementenhancement

Improved elasticityImproved elasticity High electrical High electrical

conductivityconductivity

Properties of Fibers from Polypropylene (PP) and PP/CNT Composites

Sample PP-Control PP+ 5 wt% carbonnanofiber

Tensile Strength(MPa)

49060 57070

Tensile Modulus(GPa)

4.60.7 7.10.9

Elongation to Break(%)

235 162

CompressiveStrength (Mpa)

251 4810

Mechanical PropertiesMechanical Properties

Host Polymers and ApplicationsHost Polymers and Applications

PolyurethanePolyurethane TeflonTeflon SiliconesSilicones EpoxiesEpoxies PolyestersPolyesters NylonNylon PVCPVC PMMAPMMA AcrylatesAcrylates

Sporting GoodsSporting Goods AutomotiveAutomotive AerospaceAerospace MilitaryMilitary Body ArmorBody Armor ElectronicsElectronics Semi-ConductorsSemi-Conductors BiomedicalBiomedical PaintPaint

ReferencesReferences

www.zyvex.comwww.zyvex.com www.nano-lab.com/imagegallery.htmlwww.nano-lab.com/imagegallery.html www.nanotechweb.org/articles/news/4/2/2/1www.nanotechweb.org/articles/news/4/2/2/1 www.nanovip.com/forumswww.nanovip.com/forums www.4spe.org/htmlemail/techfocus/supportingdocs/www.4spe.org/htmlemail/techfocus/supportingdocs/

0412newtechfocus.pdf0412newtechfocus.pdf www.eastonsports.comwww.eastonsports.com Yeh, Meng-Kao, Nyan-Hwa Tai, Jia-Hau Liu. “Mechanical Behavior Yeh, Meng-Kao, Nyan-Hwa Tai, Jia-Hau Liu. “Mechanical Behavior

of phenolic-based composites reinforced with mutli-walled carbon of phenolic-based composites reinforced with mutli-walled carbon nanotubes.” nanotubes.” www.sciencedirect.comwww.sciencedirect.com carbon 44(2006): 1-9. carbon 44(2006): 1-9.