A Molecular Mechanism for Toughening and Strengthening Waterborne Nanocomposites

A high molecular‐weight polymer – not a small molecule or surfactant – is superior for dispersing carbon nanotubes in water when processing a waterborne, polymeric nanocomposite. A polymeric dispersant above its entanglement molecular weight creates a brush structure on the nanotube that increases m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advanced materials (Weinheim) 2008-01, Vol.20 (1), p.90-94
Main Authors: Wang, T., Lei, C.-H., Liu, D., Manea, M., Asua, J. M., Creton, C., Dalton, A. B., Keddie, J. L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adhesives
Carbon nanotubes
Latexes
Nanocomposites
Polymers
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Summary:A high molecular‐weight polymer – not a small molecule or surfactant – is superior for dispersing carbon nanotubes in water when processing a waterborne, polymeric nanocomposite. A polymeric dispersant above its entanglement molecular weight creates a brush structure on the nanotube that increases molecular friction on entangles with the matrix, yielding increased adhesion energy, as shown, along with greater toughness and energy dissipation during deformation. A dispersant can thereby be used to tune a nanocomposite's mechanical properties.
ISSN:0935-9648
1521-4095
DOI:10.1002/adma.200700821