Elastomeric nanocomposites based on MWCNTs : preparation, characterization, and applications / Nanocompositos elastomericos baseados em MWCNTs : preparação, caracterização, e aplicações

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2009

RESUMO

Polymeric nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have one of the highest technological potential due to the possibility of produce materials with improved mechanical properties, high electrical conductivity at low loadings (low percolation threshold), and good processability. These systems are versatile, may present astonishing properties, and are allowed to control them by changing the proportion of their components, being able to tailor these materials to suit a desired application. In this work, nanocomposites of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and a commercial elastomer (Kraton-D®), which is a block copolymer of styrenebutadiene- styrene (SBS), were prepared by extrusion and by casting. The thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties presented by these materials were compared. The characterization was performed by measurement of the electrical conductivity (Coleman¿s method), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (for morphologic characterization), thermogravimetry (for thermal stability and determination of the loading of filler), stress-strain tests and dynamic mechanical analysis (for the mechanical properties). Furthermore, the potential of application of the extruded composites in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and as radiation absorbing materials (RAM) was tested. The results showed a strong influence of the methodology of preparation upon the final properties of composites, which was attributed to changes in the morphology of the system with conditions used to prepare the samples. Composites made by casting showed a higher electrical conductivity than the extruded ones, although the latter presented better mechanical properties than the former ones. Despite the requirement of further studies to improve their efficiency in DSSC and as RAM, the composites were promising for these applications.

ASSUNTO(S)

nanocompositos nanocomposites nanotubos de carbono de paredes multiplas elastomeros termoplasticos multiwalled carbon nanotubes thermoplastic elastomers

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