1st Edition

Polymer Carbon Nanotube Composites The Polymer Latex Concept

Edited By Cor Koning, Marie-Claire Hermant, Nadia Grossiord Copyright 2012
    256 Pages 96 B/W Illustrations
    by Jenny Stanford Publishing

    This book provides readers with a comprehensive toolbox for dispersing single-walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes in thermoplastic polymer matrices. The book starts with an overview of all known techniques for dispersing CNTs in thermoplastic polymers and then concentrates on one of the most versatile techniques known nowadays: the so-called latex technology. Also discussed are the basic principles of this latex technology, the role of the matrix viscosity on percolation threshold, the importance of the intrinsic CNT quality, the use of "smart" surfactants facilitating electron transport in the final composite, the preparation of highly loaded master-batches, which can be diluted with virgin polymer by melt-extrusion, and some promising potential applications.

    Introduction
    Composite Materials
    Altered Behavior of Nano-Fillers
    Carbon Nanotubes and Composites Thereof
    Percolation Theory for Rods
    Scope of This Book
    Toolbox for Dispersing Carbon Nanotubes into Polymers to Get Electrically Conductive Nanocomposites
    General Introduction
    Incorporation of CNTs into a Polymer Matrix: A Challenge
    Ultrasound
    CNT Purification
    Methods to Disperse Individual CNTs in a Polymer Matrix
    Conclusions
    Tailoring and Monitoring the Sonication-Driven Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes in Aqueous Surfactant Solutions
    Introduction
    Characterization of the Bundling of CNT Aqueous Dispersions in General; Monitoring of the Debundling Process in Particular: A Short Overview of Suitable Characterization Techniques
    Optimization of the CNT Debundling Parameters to Make Conductive CNT/Polymer Nanocomposites with UV-Vis Spectroscopy
    Food for Thought: A Critic of Purification of SWCNTs
    Centrifugation of Aqueous Surfactant-CNT Dispersions
    Conclusions
    Aspects of Processing Methods and Conditions Affecting Percolation Networks
    Segregated Networks and Dynamic Percolation
    The Role of the Matrix Viscosity: Molecular Weight Distributions and Processing Temperatures
    Processing Techniques and Percolation Thresholds
    Conclusions
    On the Versatility of the Latex-Based Process Regarding the Choice of the Polymer Matrix of the Nanocomposite
    Introduction
    Semi-Crystalline Polypropylene Matrix
    Polymer Blends
    Conclusions
    Manipulating the Percolation of CNTs Using Hybrid Composite Systems
    Introduction
    Eliminating Non-Contact Resistivity
    General Conclusions
    Future Perspectives
    Introduction: Toward Large-Scale Production
    Food for Thought: Possible Applications of CNT/Polymer Composites?
    What’s Next?
    Index

    Biography

    Cor Koning, Marie-Claire Hermant, Nadia Grossiord

    "These authors are leading researchers and have done a great service to the community by capturing the current understanding of carbon nanotube polymer nanocomposites. Active research in industry and academia alike will find this book a timely and valuable resource, particularly as it pertains to electrical conductivity of these fascinating materials."
    —Prof. Karen I. Winey - University of Pennsylvania, USA

    "Carbon nanotubes are promising conductive fillers for a variety of applications from organic electronics to electrostatic dissipation of composites. This book provides a valuable review on the processing of nanotube dispersions and composites. An emphasis is given to the "latex technology", one of the most efficient approaches to achieve conductive networks of nanotubes. This book will be of great interest to a broad readership in chemistry, physics and materials science in both academia and industry."
    —Dr. Philippe Poulin - Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, France