Polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites: a review from preparation to processing

Small but strong: A review of the mechanical properties of carbon nanotube–polymer composites

Carbon nanotube–polymer composites: Chemistry, processing, mechanical and electrical properties

Thermal conductivity of carbon nanotubes and their polymer nanocomposites: A review

Polymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites are expected to have good processability characteristics of the polymer and excellent functional properties of the CNTs. The critical challenge, however, is how to enhance dispersion and alignment of CNTs in the matrix. Here, we review recent progress and advances that have been made on: (a) dispersion of CNTs in a polymer matrix, including optimum blending, in situ polymerization and chemical functionalization; and (b) alignment of CNTs in the matrix enhanced by ex situ techniques, force and magnetic fields, electrospinning and liquid crystalline phase-induced methods. In addition, discussions on mechanical, thermal, electrical, electrochemical, optical and super-hydrophobic properties; and applications of polymer/CNT composites are included. Enhanced dispersion and alignment of CNTs in the polymer matrix will promote and extend the applications and developments of polymer/CNT nanocomposites.

Dispersion and alignment of carbon nanotubes in polymer matrix: A review

Mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of carbon-nanotube filled polyamide-6 and its blends with acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene

Nanostructured materials are attracting increased interest and applications. Exciting perspectives may be offered by electrical insulation. Polymeric nanofilled materials may find new and/or upgraded applications in the electrical and electronic industry, replacing conventional insulation to provide improved performances in electrical apparatus, as regards, e.g., reliability, environmental compatibility and power rating. This paper shows that electrical properties of nanocomposite insulating materials for DC applications, specifically space charge, conductivity and breakdown voltage, can improve significantly with respect to the basis, unfilled materials. Reference is made to two polymeric materials, i.e. poly(ethylene-covinylacetate) (EVA) and polypropylene (PP), that are widely used as electrical insulation, e.g. for cables and capacitors. The nanofiller consists of an organophilic layered silicate, specifically an extra-pure synthetic fluorohectorite modified by means of interlayer exchange of sodium cations for protonated octadecylamine NH/sub 3//sup +/ (ODA), in a weight concentration of maximum 6%. In both materials the space charge accumulation rate as a function of applied electric field is significantly reduced, while the electrical conductivity is raised. The breakdown voltage can increase for the nanofilled materials.

Modification of electrical properties and performance of EVA and PP insulation through nanostructure by organophilic silicates

Melt compounding of syndiotactic polypropylene nanocomposites containing organophilic layered silicates and in situ formed core/shell nanoparticles

Transport properties of organic vapors in nanocomposites of organophilic layered silicate and syndiotactic polypropylene

An investigation on space charge and conduction properties of electrical-insulating polymer nanocomposites is presented. Space charge, conduction current and electric strength measurements were performed. Different poling field were considered, in order to derive the space charge accumulation characteristics and infer the mechanisms for conduction and trapping of charge carriers. Two families of insulating materials were considered, that is, isotactic polypropylene, PP, and a copolymer ethylene-vinylacetate, EVA, both filled by organophilic layered silicates as nanomaterials. The comparison among unfilled and nanofilled materials, with different filler concentrations, shows that space charge accumulation phenomena are considerably affected by the presence of nanofillers: space charge accumulation threshold, but also the density of trapped charge at high fields, decrease, in fact, as nanofiller content increases. Likewise, conduction current increases for nanofilled materials. Electric strength can be also positively affected by nanofillers.

Dirk Kaempfer

Papers

Mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of carbon-nanotube filled polyamide-6 and its blends with acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene

Modification of electrical properties and performance of EVA and PP insulation through nanostructure by organophilic silicates

Melt compounding of syndiotactic polypropylene nanocomposites containing organophilic layered silicates and in situ formed core/shell nanoparticles

Transport properties of organic vapors in nanocomposites of organophilic layered silicate and syndiotactic polypropylene

Electrical properties of polymer nanocomposites based upon organophilic layered silicates