Polymer transcrystallinity induced by carbon nanotubes

In this work, we provide the evidence of polymer transcrystallinity in the presence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The interfacial morphology of carbon nanotube fiber–polypropylene matrix is investigated by means of polarized optical microscopy (POM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), scanning elect...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymer (Guilford) 2008-03, Vol.49 (5), p.1356-1364
Main Authors: Zhang, Shanju, Minus, Marilyn L., Zhu, Lingbo, Wong, Ching-Ping, Kumar, Satish
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Carbon nanotubes
Composites
Exact sciences and technology
Forms of application and semi-finished materials
Interfacial structures
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Polymer transcrystallization
Technology of polymers
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Summary:In this work, we provide the evidence of polymer transcrystallinity in the presence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The interfacial morphology of carbon nanotube fiber–polypropylene matrix is investigated by means of polarized optical microscopy (POM), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The supramolecular microstructures of polypropylene transcrystals induced by the nanotube fiber are observed in the range of isothermal crystallization temperatures from 118°C to 132°C. The dynamic process of transcrystallization is analyzed by using the theory of heterogeneous nucleation. Microstructure analysis shows that the nanotubes can nucleate the growth of both α- and γ-transcrystal, and α-transcrystals dominate the overall interfacial morphology. Close to the nanotube fiber surface, a cross-hatched lamellar microstructure composed of mother lamellae and daughter lamellae is observed.
ISSN:0032-3861
1873-2291
DOI:10.1016/j.polymer.2008.01.018