Title: Carbon nanotubes reinforced polymer matrix nanocomposites

Authors: Mohamed A. Etman, M.K. Bedewy, Hanaa A. Khalil, Badr S. Azzam, Salah H.R. Ali

Addresses: Mech. Design & Prod. Eng. Dept., Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt. ' Mech. Design & Prod. Eng. Dept., Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt. ' National Reserch Centre, Dokki, 12311, Giza, Egypt. ' College of Engineering, Al-Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia. ' Engineering and Surface Metrology, National Institute of Standards, Giza 12211, Egypt

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become strongly promising nanoparticles for developing novel smart polymer matrix nanocomposites to satisfy the ever increasing design requirements of the recent avenues of space industry and other special structural applications. The objective of this paper is to investigate the influence of doped and dispersed CNTs in polymer matrix on its intrinsic properties. Three different types of polymers; polyvinylchloride (PVC), polymethylemethacrylate (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) were subjected to this experimental investigation. CNTs/polymer matrix composites with a content ratio of CNTs up to 5% by weight were synthesised in lab. The nanocomposites were then characterised by measuring their mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. In addition, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied, and the results are presented and discussed. It can be generally concluded that both PMMA and PS polymers disclosed much better matching ability and cross linking ability with the interweaving CNTs than the PVC. Both PMMA and PS polymers may thus, be nominated for further extension of the investigation to cover a wider range of CNTs content ratios in an endeavour towards searching for maximum specific performance properties of such nanocomposites.

Keywords: nanoparticles; CNT; synthesis; characterisation; nanotechnology; carbon nanotubes; reinforced nanocomposites; polymer matrix nanocomposites; reinforced composites.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2009.028768

International Journal of Nanoparticles, 2009 Vol.2 No.1/2/3/4/5/6, pp.339-353

Published online: 30 Sep 2009 *

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