Synthesis and Characterization of Multifunctional Carbon Nanotube Buckypaper/Liquid Crystalline Polymer Composites

摘要

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been recognized as a potential superiorrnreinforcement agent for high-performance, multifunctional composites. However,rnnon-uniform CNT dispersion within the polymer matrix, the lack of adequate adhesionrnbetween the constituents of the composite, and the lack of nanotube alignment havernhindered significant improvements in composite performance. In this work, we presentrnthe development of a layer-by-layer layup method to produce high mechanicalrnperformance and electrical conductivity CNT reinforced liquid crystalline polymerrn(LCP) composites using CNT sheets or buckypaper (BP) and self-reinforcingrnpolyphenylene resin, Parmax. The Parmax/BP composite morphology, mechanical,rnthermal, and electrical properties have been investigated. SEM observationsrndemonstrate alignment of the CNTs due to flow induced orientational ordering of LCPrnchains. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the Parmax/BP samples withrn5.43 wt% MWNT content were 318 MPa and 16 GPa, respectively, which arernsubstantially improved when compared to the neat LCP resin. Noticeablernimprovements in the thermal stability and glass transition temperature with increasingrnCNT content due to the restriction in chain mobility imposed by the CNTs wasrndemonstrated. Moreover, the electrical conductivity of the composites increasedrnsharply to 19 S/cm with the addition of CNT BP. These results suggest the developedrnapproach is effective method to fabricate high-performance, multifunctionalrnCNT/LCP nanocomposites.