Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Modifications Produced by Carbon Nanotubes and Fe2O3 Nanoparticles

Thin sheets of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), both in pristine form and containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) at different concentrations, were prepared. The CNT and Fe2O3 NP weight percentages used ranged from 0.01% to 1%. The presence of CNTs and Fe2O3...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymers 2023-02, Vol.15 (5), p.1169
Main Authors: Torrisi, Alfio, Torrisi, Lorenzo, Cutroneo, Mariapompea, Michalcova, Alena, D’Angelo, Milena, Silipigni, Letteria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorption spectra
Absorption spectroscopy
Biocompatibility
Carbon
Carbon nanotubes
Energy gap
Fourier transforms
Infrared spectroscopy
Molecular weight
Nanocomposites
Nanoparticles
Nanostructure
Optical properties
Polyethylene
Polymers
Tensile strength
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene
X-rays
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Summary:Thin sheets of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), both in pristine form and containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) at different concentrations, were prepared. The CNT and Fe2O3 NP weight percentages used ranged from 0.01% to 1%. The presence of CNTs and Fe2O3 NPs in UHMWPE was confirmed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy and by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (EDS). The effects of the embedded nanostructures on the UHMWPE samples were studied using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The ATR-FTIR spectra show the characteristic features of the UHMWPE, CNTs, and Fe2O3. Concerning the optical properties, regardless of the type of embedded nanostructures, an increase in the optical absorption was observed. The allowed direct optical energy gap value was determined from the optical absorption spectra: in both cases, it decreases with increasing CNT or Fe2O3 NP concentrations. The obtained results will be presented and discussed.
ISSN:2073-4360
2073-4360
DOI:10.3390/polym15051169