Effect of MWCNT on Thermal, Mechanical, and Morphological Properties of Polybutylene Terephthalate/Polycarbonate Blends

Abstract

This paper evaluated the effect of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) on the properties of PBT/PC blends. The nanocomposites were obtained by melt blending MWCNT in the weight percentages 0.15, 0.3, and 0.45 wt% with PBT/PC blends in a high performance corotating twin screw extruder. Samples were characterized by tensile testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Concentrations of PBT and PC are optimized as 80 : 20 based on mechanical properties. A small amount of MWCNT shows better increase in the thermal and mechanical properties of the blends of PBT/PC nanocomposite when compared to nanoclays or inorganic fillers. The ultimate tensile strength of the nanocomposites increased from 54 MPa to 85 MPa with addition of MWCNT up to 0.3% and then decreased.The tensile modulus values were increased to about 60% and the flexural modulus was more than about 80%. The impact strength was also improved with 20% PC to about 60% and with 0.15% MWCNT to about 50%. The HDT also improved from 127 ∘ C to 205 ∘ C. It can be seen from XRD result that the crystallinity of PBT is less affected by incorporating MWCNT. The crystallizing temperature was increased and the MWCNT may act as a strong nucleating agent.

Selective Localization of MWCNT in Poly (Trimethylene Terephthalate)/Poly Ethylene Blends: Theoretical Analysis, Morphology, and Mechanical Properties

“…The ability of MWCNT to improve properties of different polymer blend systems is known . Rejisha et al reported the improved mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of polybutylene terephthalate/polycarbonate blends with the incorporation of MWCNTs . Arif et al reported the influence of MWCNT in the crystallisation rate of polycarbonate/polypropylene blend .…”

A review on the mechanical, electrical and EMI shielding properties of carbon nanotubes and graphene reinforced polycarbonate nanocomposites

“…The increase in tensile strength suggests that the load transfer from PC to MWCNT is improved by the use of f‐MWCNTs. Rejisha et al studied the effect of MWCNTs on the mechanical properties of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)/PC blends (Table ). The ultimate tensile strength of the nanocomposites was increased from 54 to 85 MPa with addition of MWCNT up to 0.3% in PBT/PC blend (80/20).…”

“…Recent improvement in electrical properties of PC/CNT composites is discussed in the present review paper, and some significant data from those studies are presented in Table . The studies on electrical properties of PC/CNT nanocomposites show that EC of these nanocomposites follows the classical percolating behavior with percolation threshold varying between 1 to 5 wt% . Interestingly, because of the high aspect ratio and small diameter of CNTs, the values of percolation threshold of CNT‐based nanocomposites are much less compared with carbon black and CF‐based nanocomposites whose percolation thresholds are usually up to 15 to 20 wt% and 9 to 18 wt%, respectively …”

Influence of addition of selective metallic species on mechanical properties of graphene/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene composites

“…Among carbon‐based nanomaterials, the remarkable properties of CNTs turned the attention of researchers for its diversified applications and proved to be exciting nanofiller for polymeric composites, energy‐storage devices, sensors, biomedical applications, and so forth. However, the commercial use CNTs in structural applications were limited due to their agglomeration tendency, high cost of production and some unresolved issues regarding the synthesis of high‐quality nanotubes …”