Morphology, thermal, and rheological behavior of nylon 11/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites prepared by melt compounding

Shu Huang, Min Wang, Tianxi Liu*, Wei De Zhang, Wuiwui Chauhari Tjiu, Chaobin He, Xuehong Lu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Nylon 11 (PA11) nanocomposites with different loadings of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by melt compounding. Scanning electron microscopy images on the fracture surfaces of the composites showed a uniform dispersion of MWNTs throughout the matrix. The presence of the MWNTs significantly improved the thermal stability and enhanced the storage modulus (G′) of the polymer matrix. Melt rheology studies showed that, compared with neat PA11, the incorporation of MWNT into the matrix resulted in higher complex viscosities (|η*|), storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G″), and lower loss factor (tanδ). PA11 and its nanocomposites containing less than 1 wt% MWNTs showed similar frequency dependencies and reached a Newtonian plateau at low frequencies. For the nanocomposite with 2 wt% MWNTs, the regional network was destroyed and the orientation of the MWNTs during shearing exhibited a very strong shear thinning effect. The complex viscosities (|η*|) of the nanocomposites are larger than that of neat PA11 and decreased with increasing the temperature. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 49:1063-1068, 2009.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1063-1068
Number of pages6
JournalPolymer Engineering and Science
Volume49
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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