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    Ultralow percolation threshold in polyamide 6.6/MWCNT composites
    (Barking : Elsevier, 2015) Krause, Beate; Boldt, Regine; Häußler, Liane; Pötschke, Petra
    When incorporating multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) synthesised by the aerosol-CVD method using different solvents into polyamide 6.6 (PA66) by melt mixing an ultralow electrical percolation threshold of 0.04. wt.% was found. This very low threshold was assigned to the specific characteristic of the MWCNTs for which a very high aspect ratio, a good dispersability in aqueous surfactant dispersions, and relatively low oxygen content near the surface were measured. The investigation of the composites by transmission electron microscopy on ultrathin cuts as well as by scanning electron microscopy combined with charge contrast imaging on compression moulded plates illustrated a good MWCNT dispersion within the PA66 matrix and that the very high aspect ratio of the nanotubes remained even after melt processing. Additionally, the thermal behaviour of the PA66 composites was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showing that the addition of only 0.05. wt.% MWCNT leads to an increase of the onset crystallization temperature of 11. K.
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    Improvement of carbon nanotube dispersion in thermoplastic composites using a three roll mill at elevated temperatures
    (Barking : Elsevier, 2013) Pötschke, Petra; Krause, Beate; Buschhorn, Samuel T.; Köpke, Ulf; Müller, Michael T.; Villmow, Tobias; Schulte, Karl
    The paper reports the effect of using of a three roll mill as additional dispersion step after twin-screw melt extrusion of nanocomposites containing thermoplastic polymers and multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The three roll milling technology was adapted to elevated temperatures of up to 180 °C and examples are shown for its use in processing of different pre-compounded thermoplastic polymer composites based on polypropylene, polycaprolactone and ethylene-vinyl acetate. The aim is to enhance the state of dispersion achieved by the previous melt extrusion step. In particular, depending on the state of dispersion before three roll milling and the adapted conditions, like number of runs and gap sizes, a reduction of number and size of remaining primary nanotube agglomerates was found. This was studied using light microscopy. The resulting improvements in mechanical properties were assessed and could be attributed to the improved dispersion. In some cases agglomerate free samples could be achieved after the three roll milling process. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.