Morphological Features and Melting Behavior of Nanocomposites Based on Isotactic Polypropylene and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2007 · Journal of Applied Polymer Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/app.26823· OSTI ID:930555

Avila-Orta, C; Medellin-Rodriguez, F; Davila-Rodriguez, M; Aguirre-Figueroa, Y; Yoon, K; Hsiao, B

Nanocomposites based on low molar mass isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and a low concentrations (1-2 wt %) of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were studied using thermal analysis, optical and electronic microscopy, and X-ray diffraction/scattering techniques. It was first determined that MWCNT decrease induction time and act as nucleating agents of the iPP crystals during nonisothermal crystallization. One of the consequences of the nucleation effect was that the original spherulitic morphology of iPP was transformed into a fibrillar-like. The corresponding long period of the original well-defined lamellar structure slightly increased suggesting the formation of thicker crystals in samples containing MWCNT. The nature of the {alpha}-iPP crystalline structure was not affected by MWCNT. After nonisothermal crystallization, two melting endotherms were present during thermal scanning of the iPP/MWCNT nanocomposites their proportion changing with the heating rate. After resolving the total DSC signal in its components using MDSC, the overall evolution of such behavior could be explained in terms of the melting/recrystallization mechanism.

• Research Organization: BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY (BNL), NATIONAL SYNCHROTRON LIGHT SOURCE (NSLS)
• Sponsoring Organization: Doe - Office Of Science
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 930555
• Report Number(s): BNL--80679-2008-JA
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Polymer Science Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 106; ISSN 0021-8995; ISSN JAPNAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CARBON
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
CRYSTALLIZATION
HEATING RATE
INDUCTION
MELTING
MICROSCOPY
MORPHOLOGY
NANOTUBES
NUCLEATION
POLYPROPYLENE
RECRYSTALLIZATION
SCATTERING
THERMAL ANALYSIS
X-RAY DIFFRACTION