No abstract

In nanocomposites, dispersing hydrophilic nanomaterials in a hydrophobic matrix using simple and environmentally friendly methods remains challenging. Herein, we report a method based on in situ polymerization to synthesize nanocomposites of well-dispersed cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc). We have also shown that by blending this PVAc/CNC nanocomposite with poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a good dispersion of the CNCs can be reached in PLA. The outstanding dispersion of CNCs in both PVAc and PLA/PVAc matrices was shown by different microscopy techniques and was further supported by the mechanical and rheological properties of the composites. The in situ PVAc/CNC nanocomposites exhibit enhanced mechanical properties compared to the materials produced by mechanical mixing, and a theoretical model based on the interphase effect and dispersion that reflects this behavior was developed. Comparison of the rheological and thermal behaviors of the mixed and in situ PVAc/CNC also confirmed the great improvement in the dispersion of nanocellulose in the latter. Furthermore, a synergistic effect was observed with only 0.1 wt% CNCs when the in situ PVAc/CNC was blended with PLA, as demonstrated by significant increases in elastic modulus, yield strength, elongation to break and glass transition temperature compared to the PLA/PVAc only material.

The present work reports the covalent functionalization of fewwall CNTs (FWCNTs) by ferrocene derivatives to (i) improve their dispersion efficiency in water and (ii) graft electroactive chemical groups on their side-walls in order to promote electron transfer to biomolecules. The functionalized CNTs (f-CNTs) are used to modify a glassy carbon electrode and this modified electrode is used for oxidizing the cofactor NADH (dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide).

Équipe 104 : NanomatériauxInternational audienceWe report on a first study of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) after application of dynamic (shock) compression. The experiments were conducted at 19 GPa and 36 GPa in a recovery assembly. For comparison, an experiment at a static pressure of 36 GPa was performed on the material from the same batch in a diamond anvil cell (DAC). After the high pressure treatment the samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After exposure to 19 GPa of shock compression the CNT material exhibited substantial structural damage such as CNT wall disruption, opening of the tube along its axis (unzipping) and tube shortening (cutting). Dynamic compression to 36 GPa resulted in essentially complete CNT destruction whereas at least a fraction of the nanotubes was recovered after 36 GPa of static compression though severely damaged. The results of these shock wave experiments underline the prospect of using SWCNTs as reinforcing units in material WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim

1074, Web: www.ltu.seWe have studied the thermal and chemical stability of HiPCOproduced single-walled carbon nanotube bundles to high laser power in air and argon. The samples were exposed to 110 kW/ cm 2 during 8 h with a 1.96 eV laser and the temperature was monitored via downshift of G þ -Raman peak. The structural changes in the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) caused by laser heating were monitored by recording their Raman spectra at ambient T (reference conditions) to ensure unaltered resonance conditions. The initial temperature was estimated to be 550 8C and 870 8C in air and argon, respectively. The Raman signal intensity from the CNTs radial breathing mode (RBM) increased rapidly at the beginning of the laser heating both under air and argon due to desorption of impurities for all but the smallest diameter CNTs. The temperature dropped by 30% under argon and 60% under air due to destruction of the absorbers -CNTs in resonance with incident radiation. The final RBM spectra exhibited intensity loss only for the smallest diameter CNTs in argon atmosphere and for all but the largest diameter CNTs in air. Our results demonstrate the importance of (i) impurity desorption from exterior and interior of CNTs; (ii) different temperature thresholds for the CNT destruction due to oxidation and overheating; (iii) the role of photon absorbers on the thermal stability of the sample. The small diameter CNTs are more easily destroyed than large diameter ones. The metallic nanotubes also tend to have lower thermal stability.