Aligned carbon nanotube-polystyrene composites prepared by in situ polymerisation of stacked layers

• Published in: Composites science and technology 2011-09, Vol.71 (13), p.1606-1611
• Main Authors: Koziol, Krzysztof K.K., Boncel, Slawomir, Shaffer, Milo S.P., Windle, Alan H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A. Carbon nanotubes; A. Nanocomposites; Alignment; Applied sciences; C. Anisotropy; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Laminates; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Nanocomposites; Nanostructure; Particulate composites; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer matrix composites; Polymerization; Polystyrene resins; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0266-3538; 1879-1050
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2011.07.007

► In situ polymerisation method of preparing aligned multi-wall CNT composites. ► High filler loading fraction (∼20 wt.%) was achieved via this method. ► Multilayer (150) 5 cm-thick composites were prepared with an intact CNT alignment. ► Anisotropy of electrical and thermal conductivity in the composites was confirmed. ► The free radical polymerisation method can be simply extended to other matrices. In situ polymerisation provides a route to polystyrene (PS) matrix composites reinforced with aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). As shown, fully densified composites can be prepared; by varying the number of layers of aligned MWNT arrays, desired thickness of the composite can be manufactured. These aligned composites have characteristic anisotropic electrical and thermal properties.