Polymer-Carbon Nanotube Composites

Tony McNally is a Faculty Member in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast, UK. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC). Petra Pötschke leads the Composites and Blends with Carbon Nanostructures Group at Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V. (Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden), Germany.

• Contributor contact detailsIntroduction to polymer–carbon nanotube compositesPart I: Preparation and processing of polymer–carbon nanotube compositesChapter 1: Polyolefin–carbon nanotube composites by in-situ polymerizationAbstract:1.1 Introduction1.2 In-situ polymerization techniques for polyolefin-CNT composites1.3 Polymer architecture by metallocene catalysis1.4 Polyethylene–CNT composites1.5 Polypropylene–CNT composites1.6 Conclusion and future trendsChapter 2: Surface treatment of carbon nanotubes via plasma technologyAbstract:2.1 Introduction2.2 Carbon nanotube surface chemistry and solution-based functionalization2.3 Plasma treatment of carbon nanotubes2.4 SummaryChapter 3: Functionalization of carbon nanotubes for polymer nanocompositesAbstract:3.1 Introduction3.2 Non-covalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes with polymers3.3 Covalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes with polymers3.4 Conclusion3.5 AcknowledgementsChapter 4: Influence of material and processing parameters on carbon nanotube dispersion in polymer meltsAbstract:4.1 Introduction4.2 Fundamentals of melt mixing and filler dispersion4.3 Review of the literature4.4 Batch compounding using small-scale mixers4.5 Continuous melt mixing using extruders4.6 Conclusion and future trends4.7 AcknowledgementsChapter 5: High-shear melt processing of polymer–carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:5.1 Introduction5.2 High-shear processing technique5.3 Polymer nanoblends by high-shear processing5.4 Polymer–carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites by high-shear processing5.5 Conclusion and future trendsChapter 6: Injection moulding of polymer–carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:6.1 Introduction6.2 Background6.3 Experiment design and materials6.4 Analysis6.5 Conclusion6.7 Appendix: list of unitsChapter 7: Elastomer–carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:7.1 Introduction7.2 Processing7.3 Structure–property relationships7.4 Systems with ionic liquids for increased coupling activity7.5 Hybrid systems based on silica filler7.6 ConclusionChapter 8: Epoxy–carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:8.1 Introduction8.2 Experimental materials and methods8.3 Chemorheological approach8.4 Chemorheological analysis of epoxy-CNTs systems8.5 Properties of epoxy–CNT composites8.6 Conclusion and future trendsPart II: Properties and characterization of polymer–carbon nanotube compositesChapter 9: Quantification of dispersion and distribution of carbon nanotubes in polymer composites using microscopy techniquesAbstract:9.1 Introduction9.2 Light microscopy9.3 Transmission electron microscopy9.4 Conclusion and future trends9.6 Appendix: list of abbreviationsChapter 10: Influence of thermo-rheological history on electrical and rheological properties of polymer–carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:10.1 Introduction10.2 Background10.3 Measuring techniques and materials10.4 Destruction and formation of electrical and rheological networks10.5 Influence of processing history10.6 Conclusion10.7 AcknowledgementsChapter 11: Electromagnetic properties of polymer–carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:11.1 Introduction11.2 Electromagnetic wave absorbing CNT composites11.3 Electromagnetic shielding CNT composites11.4 Other CNT composites’ electromagnetic applications11.5 ConclusionChapter 12: Mechanical properties of polymer–polymer-grafted carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:12.1 Introduction12.2 Grafting of polymers onto CNTs12.3 Fabrication of composites12.4 Mechanical properties of polymer composites containing polymer-grafted CNTs12.5 ConclusionChapter 13: Multiscale modeling of polymer–carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:13.1 Introduction13.2 Computational modeling tools13.3 Equivalent-continuum modeling concepts13.4 Specific equivalent-continuum modeling methods13.5 Example: polymer–carbon nanotube composite13.6 Conclusion and future trends13.7 Sources of further informationChapter 14: Raman spectroscopy of polymer–carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:14.1 Introduction14.2 The Raman effect: basic principles14.3 Molecules and fibers under strain: how the Raman spectrum is affected14.4 Raman signature of carbon nanotubes14.5 Usefulness of Raman spectroscopy in nanotube-based composites14.6 Conclusion14.7 AcknowledgementsChapter 15: Rheology of polymer–carbon nanotube composites meltsAbstract:15.1 Introduction15.2 Linear rheological properties of polymer–carbon nanotube (CNT) composites15.3 Non-linear rheological properties of polymer-carbon nanotube (CNT) composites15.4 Flow-induced crystallization in polymer–carbon nanotube (CNT) composites15.5 ConclusionChapter 16: Thermal degradation of polymer–carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:16.1 Introduction16.2 Mechanisms of thermal degradation/stability improvement by CNTs16.3 The thermal degradation of polymer–CNT composites16.4 Future trends16.5 Conclusion16.7 Appendix: symbols and abbreviationsChapter 17: Polyolefin–carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:17.1 Introduction17.2 Processing methods used in CNT–polyolefin nanocomposites17.3 Mechanical properties of CNT–polyolefin nanocomposites17.4 Crystallinity of polyolefin–CNT blends17.5 Rheological properties of CNT–polyolefin blends17.6 Electrical properties of CNT–polyolefin blends17.7 Wear behaviour of polyolefin–CNT composites17.8 Thermal conductivity of polyolefin–CNT composites17.9 Thermal degradation and flame-retardant properties17.10 Conclusion and future trendsChapter 18: Composites of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and multi-walled carbon nanotubesAbstract:18.1 Introduction18.2 Poly(ethylene terephthalate)–MWCNT composites: a literature survey18.3 Poly(ethylene terephthalate)–MWCNT melt processing and bulk material properties18.4 Changes in crystalline structure and crystal conformation18.5 Thermal stability of PET–MWCNT composites18.6 Formation of CNT networks in PET: rheological and electrical percolation18.7 Conclusion and future trends18.8 AcknowledgementsChapter 19: Carbon nanotubes in multiphase polymer blendsAbstract:19.1 Introduction19.2 Current state of melt mixing polymer blends with nanotubes19.3 Localization of CNTs in polymer blends during melt mixing19.4 Tailoring the localization of CNTs19.5 Utilization of selective localization: double percolated polycarbonate–acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC–ABS)-CNT blends19.6 Conclusion and future trends19.7 AcknowledgementsChapter 20: Toxicity and regulatory perspectives of carbon nanotubesAbstract:20.1 Toxic effects of nanomaterials and nanoparticles: public perception and the necessary ‘risk-versus-reward’ debate20.2 Toxicology of carbon nanotubes in comparison to other particulate materials20.3 Comparisons between carbon nanotubes and asbestos: a summary of respiratory studies20.4 Toxicity of carbon nanotubes20.5 Influence of the parameters of carbon nanotubes on their toxicity20.6 Future biological applications of carbon nanotubes20.7 Future trends20.8 ConclusionPart III: Applications of polymer–carbon nanotube compositesChapter 21: The use of polymer–carbon nanotube composites in fibresAbstract:21.1 Introduction21.2 Preparation of polymer–CNT fibres21.3 Orientation of CNTs and polymer21.4 Mechanical properties of polymer–CNT fibres21.5 A theoretical approach to reinforcement efficiency of CNTs21.6 Electrical properties of polymer–CNT fibres21.7 Sensing properties of polymer–CNT fibres21.8 Conclusion and future trendsChapter 22: Biomedical/bioengineering applications of carbon nanotube-based nanocompositesAbstract:22.1 Introduction to biomaterials and implants22.2 Orthopaedic implants22.3 Nanomaterials in medicine22.4 Load-bearing implants for orthopaedic applications22.5 Carbon nanotubes in dentistry22.6 Carbon nanotubes and dental restorative materials22.7 Carbon nanotubes in periodontal dentistry22.8 Carbon nanotubes and denture-based resin22.9 Carbon nanotubes and targeted drug delivery for oral cancer22.10 Carbon nanotubes used for monitoring biological systems22.11 Carbon nanotube biosensors22.12 Bioactivity of carbon nanotubes22.13 Regulation of occupational exposure to carbon nanotubes22.14 ConclusionChapter 23: Fire-retardant applications of polymer–carbon nanotubes composites: improved barrier effect and synergismAbstract:23.1 Introduction23.2 Fire protection mechanisms23.3 Using carbon nanotubes to develop fire-retardant solutions23.4 Synergism23.5 Carbon nanotubes in flame-resistant coatings23.6 ConclusionChapter 24: Polymer–carbon nanotube composites for flame-retardant cable applicationsAbstract:24.1 Introduction24.2 Carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites24.3 Cable with the multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)–organoclay–aluminium trihydrate (ATH) flame-retardant system24.4 ConclusionChapter 25: Polymer–carbon nanotube conductive nanocomposites for sensingAbstract:25.1 Introduction25.2 Basic concepts of conductive polymer nanocomposites25.3 Carbon nanotube (CNT) conductive polymer nanocomposite (CPC) transducers’ fabrication25.4 Sensing properties and applications of CNT conductive polymer nanocomposites25.5 Conclusion25.6 AcknowledgementsIndex

"Enormously useful to all those in this area, whether in research labs or in industry. It will undoubtedly provide a substantial reference text for some time to come." --Materials World