Thermal stability of polypropylene/carbon nanofiber composite

Abstract

Thermal stability of polypropylene and carbon nanofibre composite system has been studied using Thermogravimetric Analysis, Limited Oxygen Index (LOI), Flammability, Calorimetry, and Oxidation Induction Time techniques. Definite improvement in thermo-oxidative stability of the composite system has been observed. Improvement in LOI and a distinct change in the burning characteristics suggest a reduction in potential fire hazards. The nanocomposite system will have enhanced anti-ageing characteristics and require more stringent conditions for the initiation of burning and the ultimate impact of burning will be less.

Advanced Nano-biocomposites Based on Starch

“…-Mechanical properties: higher values of the tensile strength and Young's modulus can be ascribed to (a) the formation of an isotropic, three-dimensional nanotube network by the MWCNT interactions, which inhibits the crack propagation (Ma et al 2008d); (b) the interfacial adhesion between the MWCNTs and the starch matrix, which allows the effective stress transfer from the matrix to the nanofiller (Ma et al 2008d); and (c) the increase in the T g , which contributes to the increase in the stiffness (Famá et al 2012(Famá et al , 2011). -Thermal stability: there are several reasons for an increase in the thermal decomposition temperature: (a) MWCNTs are more stable than starch, and (b) a barrier effect of the nanotubes and their formed aggregates hinders the diffusion of the degradation products from the bulk of the polymer into the gas phase (Chatterjee and Deopura 2006;Liu et al 2011e;Yang et al 2005). -Moisture sensitivity: a reduction in moisture sensitivity can be associated with (a) the nanofiller-matrix interactions which suppress the swelling of the starch matrix when submitted to a highly moist atmosphere (Cao et al 2007), (b) the relatively low water sensitivity of MWCNTs which reduces the moisture sensitivity of the whole nano-biocomposite system (Cao Polysaccharides DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-03751-6_50-1 # Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014, and (c) the increase in the T g (for the starch-rich phase) which significantly decreases the free volume where the water diffusion occurs (Famá et al 2012;Pinnavaia and Beall 2000).…”

Poly(propylene)/Graphene Nanoplatelet Nanocomposites: Melt Rheological Behavior and Thermal, Electrical, and Electronic Properties

“…[16,17,39] The formed carbon nanofiller network structure increases the heat transfer to the surrounding and thus retard the flame. [41,42] Meanwhile, a sharp increased electric conductivity (s) is observed in the PNCs and this corresponding filler loading is normally defined as percolation threshold (P c ) with a continuous conductive network formed in the insulating polymer matrix. [16,17,39] The melt rheological property provides a convenient way to evaluate the dispersion state of the nanofillers in the polymer matrix.…”

Preparation and characterization of carbon nanofiber reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites

“…The improvement in thermal stability of nanocomposites at all temperature ranges is due to the homogeneous dispersion of the highly distributed CNFs in the TPU matrix, which by nature has higher thermal stability. 11 The homogeneous dispersion of nanofibers in TPU matrix resulting in a highly network structure and CNFs also impose a restriction on the mobilization of TPU macromolecules that prevent the gaseous molecules to come in contact with outer atmosphere in degradation process. Furthermore, CNFs dispersed in a TPU matrix conduct heat uniformly and avoid heat concentration due to the high thermal conductivity of CNFs as a consequence the thermal stability of the TPU is improved by inclusion the CNFs.…”