Comparing Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Halloysite Nanotubes as Reinforcements in EVA Nanocomposites

Abstract

The influence of carbon multi-walled nanotubes (MWCNTs) and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) on the physical, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) copolymer was investigated. EVA-based nanocomposites containing MWCNTs or HNTs, as well as hybrid nanocomposites containing both nanofillers were prepared by melt blending. Scanning electron microcopy (SEM) images revealed the presence of good dispersion of both kinds of nanotubes throughout the EVA matrix. The incorporation of nanotubes into the EVA copolymer matrix did not significantly affect the crystallization behavior of the polymer. The tensile strength of EVA-based nanocomposites increased along with the increasing CNTs (carbon nanotubes) content (increased up to approximately 40% at the loading of 8 wt.%). In turn, HNTs increased to a great extent the strain at break. Mechanical cyclic tensile tests demonstrated that nanocomposites with hybrid reinforcement exhibit interesting strengthening behavior. The synergistic effect of hybrid nanofillers on the modulus at 100% and 200% elongation was visible. Moreover, along with the increase of MWCNTs content in EVA/CNTs nanocomposites, an enhancement in electrical conductivity was observed.

Combined Effect of Poly(lactic acid)-Grafted Maleic Anhydride Compatibilizer and Halloysite Nanotubes on Morphology and Properties of Polylactide/Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) Blends

“…This increase can be attributed to the dissipation of impact energy through the incorporation of HNTs acting as energy absorbers, which helps to improve the materials' resistance to fracture [60]. Similar observations were also reported in the literature [61,62].…”

Solar–Thermal Conversion Properties of Bilayered Porous Solar Absorbers Fabricated by Mixed Halloysite/Palygorskite Clays

“…From which it can be seen that the characteristic absorption peaks of HNTs and F-HNTs exist at 3696 and 3621 cm À1 , where the absorption peak at 3696 cm À1 is the hydrogen bonding within the HNTs, the absorption peak at 3621 cm À1 is the stretching vibration peak of the hydroxyl group of the HNTs, [32] the absorption peak at 3442 cm À1 is the stretching vibration absorption peak of PAL, water adsorption by HNTs. There is peak appears at 2,922 and 1446 cm À1 is ascribed to the peak of C-H and N-H, [33,34] the absorption peak at 1630 cm À1 is the stretching vibration absorption peak of C=C double bond, [35,36] and the absorption peaks at 1042, 472 cm À1 are the absorption peaks of the stretching vibration absorption peaks of the clay mineral Si-O-Si. [37,38] After carbonization, the absorption peak of the solar absorber at 1630 cm À1 is weakened, and the absorption peaks at 1042 and 472 cm À1 are enhanced, which was related to the combustion of organic matter.…”

Investigation of the Synergistic Effect of Layer-by-Layer Films of Carbon Nanotubes and Polypyrrole on a Flexible Electrochemical Device for Paraquat Sensing

“…There are two types of CNTs: single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled Chemosensors 2023, 11, 420 2 of 16 carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The difference between them is basically related to the diameter: SWCNTs have a diameter between 1 and 2 nm, while MWCNTs are between 50 and 90 nm in diameter [9]. In this work, we used MWCNTs, showing that a fully flexible and biodegradable polymer and graphite-based composite sensor was able to reproduce improvements, with the surface modified from functionalized carbon nanotubes and PPY.…”