PHYS 475 |
| The interface plays a significant role in the behavior of traditional and nanoscale composites. This is the region in the vicinity of the particle in which the polymer properties are altered as compared to the bulk. Traditional composites have a significant body of knowledge on how to control the fiber-resin interface by changing the chemistry of the filler surfaces. However, the interface in polymer nanocomposites is not understood as well. Understanding of nanocomposite interfaces is even more critical than that of traditional composites because it represents a much larger volume fraction. In carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposites, control of the interface facilitates nanotube dispersal and load transfer between the polymer and nanotube. Several recent studies have shown that nanotube surface modification results in a better dispersion, however significant enhancement in properties have not been realized. Therefore, although carbon nanotube modification enhances dispersion in the polymer host. It is not clear, however, how the modified CNTs react with the polymer. For thermosets such as epoxy resins, for example, the differences in the way the epoxy and/or the curing agent reacts with the various nanotube modifications can result in steric and electronic differences that can in turn affect the cure. This invariably translates to differences in the crosslink topology and hence the macroscale properties. These effects need to be understood and corroborated with the state of dispersion. In this paper, we report on our attempts to understand the link between the nature of the CNT surface modification, dispersion in an epoxy resin and the resulting properties. We have used the Billups reaction to prepare single and multiwall carbon nanotubes with will controlled surface chemistries and subsequently dispersed them in an epoxy resin. Correlation of the nanotube surface chemistry with the morphology and properties will be presented. |
|
PHYS Poster Session - Nanostructured Materials and Nanophotonics
7:30 PM-10:00 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Physical Chemistry |