Gamma irradiation influence on mechanical, thermal and conductivity properties of hybrid carbon nanotubes/montmorillonite nanocomposites

Abstract

A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) based nanocomposite with the same weight ratio of hybrid nanofillers composed of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and montmorillonite nanoclay (DK4) was prepared using a melt blending technique with an internal mixer. The TPE composite was blended from polylactic acid (PLA), liquid natural rubber (LNR) as a compatibilizer and natural rubber (NR) in a volume ratio of 70:10:20, respectively. The weight ratio of CNTs and DK4 was 2.5 wt%. The prepared samples were exposed to gamma radiation at range of 0–250 kGy. After exposure to gamma radiation, the mechanical, thermo-mechanical, thermal and electrical conductivity properties of the composites were significantly higher than unirradiated TPE composites as the irradiation doses increased up to 150 kGy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs revealed the good distribution and interaction between the nano-fillers and the matrix in the prepared TPE hybrid nanocomposites. In summary, the findings from this work definite that gamma irradiation might be a viable treatment to improve the properties of TPE nanocomposite for electronic packaging applications.

A Brief Review on the High-Energy Electromagnetic Radiation-Shielding Materials Based on Polymer Nanocomposites

“…Similarly, researchers observed an increase of the crystallinity in irradiated lignocellulosic composites based on polypropylene; concomitantly, an increase of the adhesion between the filler and polymer matrix was observed [125]. Regarding the charge transport properties, the exposition of the nanocomposites to the radiation enhances the electrical conductivity [126,127] and ionic mobility [128].…”

The effects of the cross‐linking mechanism of low doses of gamma irradiation on the mechanical, thermal, and viscoelastic properties of the natural rubber latex/poly(styrene‐block‐isoprene‐block‐styrene) block copolymer blend

“…The gamma irradiation method has been investigated as a promising alternative to obtain valuable and safer NRbased products with chemical cross-linking due to its fast modification process without the need for high temperature and chemical cross-linking additives. [15,17] In recent literature, increasing gamma irradiation doses up to 100 kGy increased the gel content and thermal properties of acrylic rubber/styrene butadiene rubber blend. [18] Magida and coworkers have irradiated the chitosan and NRL blend at 10, 25, 50, and 100 kGy using the gamma irradiation method.…”

“…Ionizing radiation is a green technique to modify the chemical bonds of polymers through a spontaneous ionizing process. [15] A radiation source such as an electron beam, gamma rays, or X-rays [16] act as the initiator to generate free radicals, inducing some chemical reactions, resulting in either branching, cross-linking, or chain scission in the system. Since the reactions coexist and compete with each other, the predominating reaction is controlled by the dose rate, absorbed dose, and temperature.…”

Novel electromagnetic interference shield developed by gamma irradiation of strengthened WPE/WEPDM thermoplastic elastomer With carbon nanotubes

“…This modification may be attributed to the improved dispersion of the Nano filler contents in which the interaction of gamma radiation with the polymer causes a crosslinking between the polymer chains. 37 The better crosslinking density of WPE/WEPDM TPE blend shown the potential occurrence of extra C–C bonds in the system, which is helpful for stress transfer from the matrix to the filler in the process of stretching. 37…”