In this study Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized by amine group and Polyaniline nanocomposites with functionalized MWCNTs were prepared by ex-situ method. The amine functionalized MWCNTs (am-CNTs) were simply and efficiently blended ultrasonically in the Isopropyl Alcohol solution of polyaniline emeraldine base (PANIEB). Results show the characterization of am-CNTs/PANIEB nanocomposites as a function of different am-CNTs concentrations by weight. The structure and morphology of the composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy; Transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Experimental
3. Results and Discussions
4. Summary
Research Objective and Scope
This study aims to develop and characterize amine-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and polyaniline (PANIEB) nanocomposites to enhance their material properties for potential electronic applications.
- Functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with amine groups.
- Preparation of nanocomposites using an ex-situ solution blending technique.
- Investigation of the influence of different am-CNT concentrations on composite structure.
- Morphological characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
- Spectroscopic analysis of chemical structure via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
Excerpt from the Book
3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Fig 1 (a,b,c) shows the TEM micrograph of am-CNTs/PANI hybrid materials, which display new network structure. Sample (a) contains 1% am-CNTs, which is capsulated with PANIEB and the dispersion of am-CNTs can be observed in the polymer. In sample (b) the hybrid material contains 2% am-CNTs in the polymer matrix. Both Fig (a,b) have little PANIEB particulates in the am-CNTs/PANIEB nanocomposites. The web-like material is interconnecting the individual am-CNTs present in the polymer matrix. Sample (c) contains 5% am-CNTs. The am-CNTs are well dispersed and encapsulated with the PANIEB. Almost all the individual am-CNTs are well coated with the polymer. The encapsulated am-CNTs are further interconnected which is providing a conductive passage in the polymer nanocomposites. In samples (a,b) the am-CNTs is not fully coated with the PANIEB whereas in sample (c) the am-CNTs are uniformly wrapped with the polymer.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the mechanical and electronic benefits of combining carbon nanotubes with conductive polymers like polyaniline, highlighting their importance in microelectronic applications.
2. Experimental: This section details the three-step methodology, including the acidic functionalization of pristine CNTs, the conversion to amine-functionalized CNTs, and the final ultrasonic blending with polyaniline.
3. Results and Discussions: This chapter presents the characterization data derived from SEM, TEM, and FTIR, demonstrating the uniform distribution of am-CNTs within the polymer matrix and the resulting interconnectivity.
4. Summary: This final section synthesizes the experimental findings, confirming that the solution blending technique successfully creates conductive nanocomposites suitable for diverse applications.
Keywords
Carbon Nanotubes, Polyaniline, Nanocomposites, Conducting Polymers, Morphology, am-CNTs, PANIEB, FTIR, SEM, TEM, Chemical Engineering, Dispersion, Microelectronics, Ex-situ technique
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research focuses on creating and characterizing polyaniline-based nanocomposites reinforced with amine-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes to improve their material performance.
What are the core thematic areas?
The core areas include material synthesis, chemical functionalization, structural characterization via electron microscopy, and spectroscopic analysis of polymer-nanotube interactions.
What is the main goal of this study?
The main goal is to establish an effective method for dispersing am-CNTs into a polyaniline matrix to achieve enhanced electrical and mechanical properties for electronic devices.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The study utilizes chemical functionalization, ultrasonic blending (ex-situ method), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the preparation steps of the composites, starting from raw CNTs, and presents a detailed discussion of the structural and chemical analysis of the resulting material samples.
How would you characterize this work through keywords?
The work is defined by terms such as Carbon Nanotubes, Polyaniline, Nanocomposites, Conducting Polymers, Morphology, and spectroscopic characterization techniques.
Why is the amine functionalization of the nanotubes necessary?
Functionalization is crucial to ensure that the nanotubes can be effectively blended and encapsulated within the polyaniline emeraldine base matrix, which leads to better dispersion and interconnectivity.
What does the TEM analysis reveal about the composite structure?
TEM analysis reveals that higher concentrations (5%) of am-CNTs lead to a more uniform encapsulation by the polymer, creating an interconnected web-like structure that facilitates conductive pathways.
What does the FTIR spectrum indicate regarding the oxidation state?
The FTIR spectra indicate the presence of benzoid and quinoid ring vibrations, which confirms the oxidation state of the emeraldine salt polyaniline used in the study.
- Quote paper
- Syed Muhammad Imran (Author), 2017, Dispersion of Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes in Polyaniline, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/385861
