Zahoor Ahmad
Kuwait University, Kuwait
Title: In-situ preparation of aramid-MWCNTs nano-composites: morphology and thermal-mechanical properties
Biography
Biography: Zahoor Ahmad
Abstract
The preparation and properties of the aramid-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Ar-MWCNT) nano-composites using functionalized and pristine CNTs will be discussed. In-situ polymerization technique was used to link chemically the amine-terminated high molecular weight aramid chains with acid-functionalized MWCNTs. The effect of functionalization on composite morphology has been investigated by scanning electron microscope. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) showed a higher increase in the storage modulus and the temperature involving α-relaxations on CNTs loading in comparison to the system where pristine CNTs were used. The depression in the tan delta peak indicates the polymer chains participating in the glass transition were reduced in the composite film on loading with the MWCNT. Thermal mechanical analysis showed a drop in coefficient of thermal expansion, prior to glass transition temperature that is consistent with immobilization of polymer material present at the CNT interface. The thermal decomposition temperature of these composites was around 533 oC. The strong interfacial interactions of the matrix with the functionalized CNTs in the composite material resulted in higher visco-elastic properties and a more reduction in the coefficient of thermal expansion of aramid on loading the MWCNTs. The chemically bonded composites where acid-functionalized CNTs were used showed better results than the pristine CNTs.