COMPARISON OF CARBON NANOTUBES AND CARBON NANOFIBERS BASED NANOCOMPOSITES PREPARED WITH AID OF HIGH POWER ULTRASOUND

摘要

The unique morphology and strong inter-tube and inter-fiber attraction among carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) makes the dispersion of CNTs and CNFs a big challenge and hence limits their effective use. The comparison of reinforcement efficiency of CNFs and multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in Polyetherimide was studied. Ultrasound assisted single and twin screw extrusion process was used to prepare PEI/CNFs and PEI/MWNTs nanocomposites respectively. The effect of ultrasound on electrical conductivity, Theological, morphological and mechanical properties of polyetherimide filled with 1-10 wt% of MWNTs and 2 to 20 wt% of CNFs was studied. Ultrasonic treatment caused a reduction in electrical percolation threshold value with a permanent increase of viscosity of treated samples.