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Dispersion and Alignment of Carbon Nanotubes in Polycarbonate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2011

Michael Sennett
Affiliation:
U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command Natick Soldier Center Materials Science Team Natick, MA 01760
Elizabeth Welsh
Affiliation:
U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command Natick Soldier Center Materials Science Team Natick, MA 01760
J. B. Wright
Affiliation:
U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command Natick Soldier Center Materials Science Team Natick, MA 01760
W. Z. Li
Affiliation:
Department of Physics Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
J. G. Wen
Affiliation:
Department of Physics Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Z. F. Ren
Affiliation:
Department of Physics Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
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Abstract

Dispersion and alignment of carbon nanotubes in thermoplastic polymers such as polycarbonate have been studied. Dispersion was accomplished by mixing in a conical twin-screw extruder and alignment was carried out using a fiber spinning apparatus. The effects of mixing time and fiber draw ratios on dispersion and alignment were investigated. Uniform dispersions were produced with relatively short residence times in the extruder. Excellent alignment of carbon nanotubes in nanocomposite filaments was obtained when the fiber draw ratio was greater than 7. The ability to closely control the dispersion and alignment of carbon nanotubes in polymers is expected to lead to the development of nanocomposites with desirable electronic and structural properties.

Type
Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2002

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