In-situ pyrolysis: A novel technique for the dispersion of carbon particles in thermoplastics

Abstract

An adequate dispersion of fine particles is essential for improved properties in particle-reinforced composites. State-of-the-art methods mainly rely on mechanical (shearing) dispersion methods that do not yield the requested homogeneity within the final composite. This leads to a deterioration and inhomogeneity of mechanical properties. Other non-conventional methods such as in-situ polymerisation or solution compounding are not yet applicable on an industrial scale. This study tackles these problems and provides a novel method for the fabrication of well-dispersed particle-reinforced polymer composites while making use of conventional machinery on the one hand and allowing industrial applicability on the other hand. The presented technique makes use of the pyrolysis of a low thermally stable polymer within a conventional melt compounding process to produce well dispersed carbon particles throughout a thermoplastic matrix in an in-situ process. For this purpose, Carboxymethylcellulose particles are used. The selection of decomposition parameters around the processing temperature of polypropylene yields well-dispersed carbon particles, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy. This further interprets the resulting promising mechanical properties.

Water-Assisted Production of Polypropylene/Boehmite Composites

“…To overcome this issue a third component, carboxymethyl cellulose was introduced in order to increase the boiling point of the aqueous slurry. According to the literature [15,16] this water-soluble polymer can also improve the properties of PP. The concentration of CMC was set to the lowest at which the Leidenfrost effect was no longer experienced.…”

Desarrollo, caracterización y estudio de nuevos polímeros reforzados por dispersión de nanofases y nanofluidos

“…En la preparación del nanocomposite es de vital importancia la morfología y la dispersión homogénea del nanorrefuerzo en la matriz polimérica, ya que las propiedades y aplicabilidad del material final, van a depender fuertemente de ellas [277]. Son muy números los trabajos que se han realizado para mejorar la exfoliación del grafeno en estas matrices [278][279][280][281][282][283][284][285][286][287][288][289][290][291][292].…”