A Coagulation Method to Prepare Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube/PMMA Composites and Their Modulus, Electrical Conductivity, and Thermal Stability
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SWNT
PMMA
thermoplastic
composites
alignment
nanocomposite
electrical conductivity
thermal stability
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Abstract
A coagulation method that provides better dispersion of SWNT in the polymer matrix has been used to produce single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites. Optical microscopy and SEM show improved dispersion of SWNT in the PMMA matrix, which is a key factor in composite performance. Aligned and unaligned composites were made with purified SWNT with different SWNT loadings, from 0.1 to 7 wt%. Comprehensive testing shows improved elastic modulus, electrical conductivity, and thermal stability with addition of SWNT. The electrical conductivity of a 2 wt% SWNT composite decreases significantly (>105), when the SWNT is aligned and this result is discussed in terms of percolation.