MULTIFUNCTIONAL POLYMER NANOGOMPOSITE FOAMS FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS: The Effect of Edge Functionalized Nano-reinforcers on Nanocomposite Polyurethane/Polyisocyanurate Rigid Foam

摘要

Polymers offer a unique material matrix for the synthesizing of nanocomposites, but overall are currently limited in their applications due to their inadequate mechanical performance, thermal stability and low electrical conductivity. By adding a small percentage of a multifunctional nanofiller such as graphene nanoplatelets (GnP), polymer properties can be improved and significant other attractive properties can also be added, increasing their potential applications. Graphene is an attractive nanofiller due to its high tensile modulus (1 TPa) and good thermal (3000 W/m-K) and electrical conductivity (105 S/m). Different sizes and thicknesses of GnP are synthesized at a relatively low cost as compared to other carbon nanofillers while maintaining good properties. One particular application of interest is in producing multifunctional polymer foams for aerospace applications. This research seeks to create multifunctional rigid and flexible foams, which exhibit excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties for potential applications such as thermal heat sinks, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials and to reduce static build-up. By using GnP as a filler selectively placed in the walls and struts of foam cells, these properties can also be tailored cost effectively.