CHARACTERIZATION OF VAPOR GROWN CARBON NANOFIBER/POLYIMIDE NANOCOMPOSITE FILMS

摘要

The thermal behaviour of nanocomposite films containing varying amounts of nanofibers were measured and correlated in both inert and oxidizing atmospheres. The relationship between the weight percent of the nanofibers and the decomposition (on-set and final decomposition) temperatures were established. The decomposition temperature of the nanocomposite films increased from 700 -850 deg C as the weight percent of the nanofibers was increased from 0-8 weight percent. The neat PI film showed a decomposition temperature of about 730 deg C (in air). The TGA trace obtained in inert nitrogen atmosphere showed a char retention of about 65 percent for the nanocomposites and 60 percent for the neat resin. The glass transition temperature of the nanocomposite films containing high weight fraction of the nanofibers (aii) showed a slight increase in Tg of about 7 deg C over the neat PI film. The morphology of the nanocomposite films was determined by scanning electron microscopy, SEM. Our results indicate that the porosity of the films increased in the presence of the nanofibers.