Physical characterizations of three phase polycarbonate nanocomposites

Abstract

Zinc oxide-Barium titanate-Polycarbonate (ZnOÀBaTiO 3 ÀPC) nanocomposites were prepared to investigate effect of ZnO-BaTiO 3 mixed nanoparticles on the optical, electrical, and thermal properties of polycarbonate (PC). The UV-visible absorption spectra was measured for the nanocomposites at room temperature between 200 and 800 nm and the optical energy gap was determined from the measured absorption coefficient data. Optical results reveal that BaTiO 3 ceramic has a strong absorption below 300 nm while ZnO has a strong absorption peak at 367 nm and the UV absorption in these regions depends on the ZnO and BaTiO 3 concentration. This indicates that the PC UV shielding region can be controlled through the mixed BaTiO 3-ZnO nanoparticle weigh ratios. Also, 10 wt% BaTiO 3 nanoparticles in PC insignificantly affects the optical energy gap whereas 10 wt% ZnO nanoparticles in PC decreases the optical gap from 4.14 to 3.9 eV. Results obtained from DC conductivity and thermal analysis reveal that adding BaTiO 3 nanoparticles into PC will decrease DC conductivity, restrict chain mobility, and increase thermal stability while, adding ZnO nanoparticles to PC increases DC conductivity, enhances chain mobility, and decreases the thermal stability. The optical, electrical, and thermal properties of these nanocomposites can be controlled by adjusting the ZnO to BaTiO 3 nanoparticles weight ratios in the PC matrix.

Electrical and optical properties of well-dispersed MWCNTs/PVA nanocomposites under different pH conditions

“…In the continuity of our ongoing studies 1,15 –19 into the MWCNTs with different neat polymers such as polystyrene, polycarbonate, and so on, in the present study, a novel dispersion behavior of MWCNTs was obtained through pretreatment of MWCNTs at different pH values. In our previous work, 1 we functionalized MWCNTs with β-HNA and observed that β-HNA molecules adsorb onto the surface of MWCNTs due to inherent hydrophobic/hydrophilic sites and create electrostatic charge on the surface.…”

“…Besides, commercial thermoplastic polymer such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), poly (vinyl alcohol) ( PVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ….etc are the mostly and widely used plastic in the industrial applications because they are cheap, durable, hard, and easily worked. 1 –20 Despite of the extensive studies 1 –27 of such materials, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-polymer nanocomposites, many important aspects of the electronic and optical properties of these materials are still not fully resolved. Consequently, it will be very interesting to study the effect of pretreatment of MWCNTs using a new method to improve their dispersion in neat polymer to obtain polymer nanocomposites that have attractive properties for industrial applications.…”

“…Researcher’s community has devoted a large amount of efforts and times into the synthesis of MWCNTs-polymer nanocomposites with different techniques. 5 –25 Data from the literature reveal that the dispersion of MWCNTs in polymers and particularly PVA matrix can be enhanced by functionalizing MWCNTs using acid treatment (wet chemical method), dry oxidation such as the use of ozone in the presence of ultraviolet (O 3 /UV) or simply by the addition of additives. In addition to this, sonication and other physical mixing methods have been reported to enhance the dispersion of MWCNTs in polymer matrix.…”

Development of Lead-Free Nanowire Composites for Energy Storage Applications

“…To date, many research groups increased the energy density of dielectric capacitors using a nanocomposite approach, including barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ) nano particles reinforced polycarbonate (PC) [10], poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) [11], modified BaTiO 3 nanoparticle with PVDF [12,13], titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles with PVDF terpolymer [14], calcium copper titanate (CCT) reinforced polyimide [15], silver nanoparticle/poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) core-shell structure for high dielectric constant and low loss epoxy matrix composite [16], and PZT or PLZT powders reinforced PVDF [1,17].…”

A review of filled and pristine polycarbonate blends and their applications

“…Polycarbonate (PC) is an important thermoplastic engineering polymer having fine processing, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties. 1,2 PC blends are well-known commercial products due to complementary component properties. PC materials have received considerable attention in academia and technical applications particularly in construction, automotive, aerospace, and electronic industries.…”