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Deposition and Characterization of CNT-Polyurethane Nanocomposite Films

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 January 2017

Nagendra K.C. Tummalapalli*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA
Amila C. Dissanayake
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA
Asghar Kayani
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA
Valery Bliznyuk
Affiliation:
Department of Material Science and Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
M. Ghantasala
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA
*
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Abstract

This paper presents the results of our studies on the deposition and characterization of multi wall carbon nanotube films in combination with polyurethane (PU) and N-methyl- 2-pyrrolidone (NMP). These studies mainly focused on the effect of ultra violet Ozone plasma treatment on the on the contact angle and wettability characteristics of the substrates, Silicon and Polyimide. Polyurethane/ multi-walled carbon nanotube elastomer composite films are synthesized on polyimide and glass substrates using spin coating methods. The effect of Ultraviolet-Ozone Plasma treatment (UVO) on the wettability of the substrate was studied after different exposure times, by making contact angle measurements on the chosen substrates. These measurements showed that the contact angle decreases with increasing exposure times, which indicated enhanced wettability after longer exposure to UVO plasma. The microstructure of these films are examined using optical and scanning electron microscopes. The conductivities of the films are examined using Van der Pauw method. The AC conductivity of 1wt%, 5wt% and 8wt% CNT loaded PU nanocomposite films were found to be 3.86, 5.90 and 5.38 S/m respectively which are few orders higher than the values reported in the literature. These values were confirmed with the Nyquist plot and equivalent circuit modelling. This shows the frequency independent conductive nature of the composite films. The quality of these films is analyzed using Laser Raman spectroscopy. The effect of substrate (Polyimide or Glass), UVO exposure (Ultraviolet-Ozone plasma treatment, carbon nanotube loading (1-8%) on the quality of the films are presented in detail in this paper.

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Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2016 

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References

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