Koray Yurekli

Bio: Koray Yurekli is an academic researcher from University of Houston. The author has contributed to research in topics: Polymer nanocomposite & Carbon nanotube. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 15 publications receiving 1528 citations. Previous affiliations of Koray Yurekli include National Institute of Standards and Technology & Rice University.

Small-angle neutron scattering from surfactant-assisted aqueous dispersions of carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The mechanism of surfactant-assisted dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes in water is studied by small-angle neutron scattering. The previously hypothesized formation of cylindrical micelles with the nanotubes forming the core of cylinders is inconsistent with the data presented. The scattering data favor a random structureless adsorption model for the dispersion of the nanotubes.

Rheology of polymer layered silicate nanocomposites

Abstract: Layered silicate based polymer nanocomposites have gained significant technological interest because of the recent commercialization of nylon 6 and polypropylene based materials. Aside from the natural interests in understanding and improving the processing of these hybrids, viscoelastic measurements have also proven to be a sensitive tool to probe the mesoscale structure and the strength of polymer–nanoparticle interactions.

Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Dispersions in Poly(ethylene oxide)

Abstract: Dispersions of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) assisted by a lithium-based anionic surfactant demonstrate an electrical percolation of 0.03 wt.-% and a geometrical percolation, inferred from melt rheometry, of 0.09 wt.-%. Both the melting temperature and the extent of crystallinity of the PEO crystals decrease with increasing SWNT loading. Raman spectroscopy of the nanocomposites indicates a down-shift of the SWNT G-modes and suggests that the nanotubes are subjected to tensile stress transfer from the polymer at room temperature.

Structure and dynamics of carbon black-filled elastomers

Abstract: The linear and nonlinear melt viscoelastic properties for a series of carbon black-filled polymer composites were studied. Complementary tapping-mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies were used to examine the dispersion and structural correlations of the filler particles in these composites. The low-frequency dependence of the linear viscoelastic moduli gradually changes from liquidlike behavior for the unfilled polymer to pseudosolid character for composites with more than 9 vol % carbon black filler. The plateau modulus, inferred from the linear viscoelastic response, exhibits a somewhat discontinuous change at about 9 vol % filler. On the basis of the linear viscoelastic response, we postulate that the carbon black filler forms a continuous percolated network structure beyond 9 vol % filler, considerably lower than that expected from theoretical calculations for overlapping spheres and ellipsoids. We suggest that the lower threshold for percolation is due to the polymer mediation of the filler structure, resulting from the low functionality of the polymer and, consequently, few strong polymer–filler interactions, allowing for long loops and tails that can either bridge filler particles or entangle with one another. Furthermore, the strain amplitude for the transition from linear behavior to nonlinear behavior of the modulus for the composites with greater than 9 vol % filler is independent of frequency, and this critical strain amplitude decreases with increasing filler concentration. Complementary AFM measurements suggest a well-dispersed carbon black structure with the nearest neighbor distance showing a discontinuous decrease at about 9 vol % filler, again consistent with the formation of a filler network structure beyond 9 vol % carbon black. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 256–275, 2001

Influence of Layered Silicates on the Phase-Separated Morphology of PS−PVME Blends

Abstract: The influence of the disk diameter of nanometer thick anisotropic layered silicates on the phase-separated morphology of a near-critical polystyrene (PS)−poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) blend was examined using atomic force microscopy. Films with comparable amounts of thermodynamically equivalent nanoparticles varying only in lateral disk diameters were examined using a temperature gradient method and showed dramatic differences in late-stage morphology. The blends with small disk diameter (30 nm and 0.5 μm) nanoparticles exhibit a pinning of domain sizes and demonstrate an increase in the number of domains with a higher fraction of near circular structures. On the other hand, for layered silicates with large disk diameters (10 μm), the nanoparticles do not affect the morphology of the phase-separated structure and only accelerate the phase separation kinetics. The extent of domain pinning increases with increasing silicate content and results in smaller domains at higher concentrations of silicate.

Chemistry of Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract: Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vass. Constantinou Avenue, 116 35 Athens, Greece, Institut de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire, UPR9021 CNRS, Immunologie et Chimie Therapeutiques, 67084 Strasbourg, France, and Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy

Polymer Nanocomposites Containing Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract: We review the present state of polymer nanocomposites research in which the fillers are single-wall or multiwall carbon nanotubes. By way of background we provide a brief synopsis about carbon nanotube materials and their suspensions. We summarize and critique various nanotube/polymer composite fabrication methods including solution mixing, melt mixing, and in situ polymerization with a particular emphasis on evaluating the dispersion state of the nanotubes. We discuss mechanical, electrical, rheological, thermal, and flammability properties separately and how these physical properties depend on the size, aspect ratio, loading, dispersion state, and alignment of nanotubes within polymer nanocomposites. Finally, we summarize the current challenges to and opportunities for efficiently translating the extraordinary properties of carbon nanotubes to polymer matrices in hopes of facilitating progress in this emerging area.

Nanoparticle Polymer Composites: Where Two Small Worlds Meet

Abstract: The mixing of polymers and nanoparticles is opening pathways for engineering flexible composites that exhibit advantageous electrical, optical, or mechanical properties. Recent advances reveal routes to exploit both enthalpic and entropic interactions so as to direct the spatial distribution of nanoparticles and thereby control the macroscopic performance of the material. For example, by tailoring the particle coating and size, researchers have created self-healing materials for improved sustainability and self-corralling rods for photovoltaic applications. A challenge for future studies is to create hierarchically structured composites in which each sublayer contributes a distinct function to yield a mechanically integrated, multifunctional material.