Composites of poly(ε‐caprolactone) and Mo₆S₃I₆ Nanowires

Abstract

Composites of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and molybdenum sulfur iodine (MoSI) nanowires were prepared using twin‐screw extrusion. Extensive microscopic examination of the composites revealed the nanowires were well dispersed in the PCL matrix, although bundles of Mo6S3I6 ropes were evident at higher loadings. Secondary electron imaging (SEI) showed the nanowires had formed an extensive network throughout the PCL matrix, resulting in increased electrical conductivity of PCL, by eight orders of magnitude, and an electrical percolation threshold of 6.5 × 10−3 vol%. Thermal analysis (DSC), WAXD, and hot stage polarized optical microscopy (HSPOM) experiments revealed Mo6S3I6 addition altered PCL crystallization kinetics, nucleation density, and crystalline content. A greater number of smaller spherulites were formed via heterogeneous nucleation. The onset of thermal decomposition (TGA) of PCL decreased by 70°C, a consequence of the thermal degradation of Mo6S3I6 to MoO3, which in turn accelerates the formation of volatile gases during the first stage of PCL decomposition. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ultrasonic properties of composites of polymers and inorganic nanoparticles

“…We propose that the ultrasonic velocity and attenuation behavior in PCL is also associated with the glass transition, T g as in the case for low frequency elastic studies performed by the dynamic mechanical analysis [9], where T g was found to be %221 K. In our study the change of slope in V ¼ f(T) dependence appears in the same temperature range. Although the nanowire content in PCL was higher than in the case of the poly(urea) composites their influence on PCL was considerably smaller.…”

“…More detailed information about the preparation and morphology can be found in Ref. [9]. In our investigation we used the same set of samples.…”

“…Other authors have established that in PMMA-SiO 2 composites with a modified layer of the polymer at the surface of the silica particles can influence the polymer glass transition temperature and kinetics [7]. Recently, the influence of inorganic nanofillers on low frequency dynamic elastic properties and the glass transition temperature was demonstrated in iPP/INT [2], poly(urea) [8], and poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) [9] composites. Earlier we performed preliminary studies of poly(urea) composites with inorganic MoS 2 nanotubes at ultrasonic frequencies [10].…”

“…Three samples, 1, 3, and 5 wt% were chosen from the same composite range described in Ref. [9]. The temperature dependencies of ultrasonic attenuation are shown for the PCL/MoSI composites and unfilled PCL as a reference at the frequency of 10 MHz, see Fig.…”

Tribological properties of composites of polyamide-6 and nanotubes of MoS2, and nanowires of MoO(3−x)and Mo6S2I8

“…The nanowires had formed an extensive network throughout the PCL matrix, resulting in increased electrical conductivity of PCL, by eight orders of magnitude, and an electrical percolation threshold of 6.3 Â 10 À3 vol%. Mo 6 S 3 I 6 -addition altered PCL crystallization kinetics, nucleation density and crystalline content [10].…”