Estimation of the Thickness of the Interface in Polyoctenamer-Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites by Thermogravimetric Analysis

ORAL

Abstract

In polymer-based nanocomposites, macromolecular chains surround the nanoparticles interacting with them and thus defining a thin layer of material known as interface. The interface exhibits modified physical properties compared to the polymeric matrix; shifts of the glass, melting, and crystallization temperatures. A simple method for the estimation of the thickness of the interface in polymer based nanocomposites, by using thermogravimetric analysis is presented. The method is exemplified through experimental data on polyoctenamer-single walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites obtained by melt mixing. The thermal stability of the as obtained nanocomposites has been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, using a Q50 TGA instrument from TA Instruments. The measurements have been performed in air and in nitrogen atmosphere at various heating rates (5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 $^{o}$C/min). Additional measurements by Raman, and Wide Angle X Ray are supporting thermal analysis data.

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Authors

  • Alin Cristian Chipara

    Rice University, The University of Texas - Pan American

  • Robert Vajtai

    Rice University

  • Pullickel Ajayan

    Rice University

  • Dorina M. Chipara

    The University of Texas Pan American, The University of Texas - Pan American, University of Texas Pan American, The University of Texas - Pan American, Department of Physics and Geology

  • Elamin Ibrahim

    The University of Texas - Pan American

  • James Hinthorne

    The University of Texas - Pan American

  • Mircea Chipara

    The University of Texas Pan American, The University of Texas - Pan American, The University of Texas - Pan American, Department of Physics and Geology, University of Texas Pan American