The Nucleating Effect of Carbon Nanotubes on Crystallinity in R‐BAPB‐Type Thermoplastic Polyimide

Abstract

Summary: The relatively high degree of crystallinity of a new thermoplastic polyimide (PI) makes it a favorable matrix candidate for fiber reinforced composites. This advantage is the result of the ability of the matrix to recrystallize during the composite manufacturing process. In this study we examine the potential nucleating effect of carbon nanotubes on a thermoplastic PI. In addition to their inherent mechanical contribution, the carbon nanotubes help recover a significant proportion of the original crystallinity.Scanning electron micrograph of the spherulitic structure of a recrystallized carbon nanotube/polyimide film.magnified imageScanning electron micrograph of the spherulitic structure of a recrystallized carbon nanotube/polyimide film.

Observations on Solution Crystallization of Poly(vinyl alcohol) in the Presence of Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes

“…It is no surprise then that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have also been shown to nucleate crystal growth in long chain polymers. [18,19] To date, CNT nucleated crystallization as well as templated and ordered crystallization of macromolecules has been observed and studied for a number of polymers. Due to its rod-like structure and axial alignment of the graphite plane, epitaxial crystallization between CNT and polymers is one potential route for producing composite fibers with enhanced interfacial interaction, extended-chain polymer morphology, and resultant highstrength and modulus.…”

Oriented Crystallization of Polycarbonate by Vapor Grown Carbon Fiber and its Application

“…It has been reported that MWCNT accelerated the crystallization in a certain type of polypropyrene and polyimide. 17,18 When MWCNT were entangled one another as lump, the entangled points might T. TAKAHASHI et al…”

“…Dynamic melt rheological property as a function of time suggested the increase of storage and loss moduli around 200 C. It was reported that MWCNT also crystallizes a certain type of thermoplastic polyimide and polypropyrene. 17,18 However, little is known about the cause and the structure of induced crystallization by VGCF or MWCNT. Here, the effect of pre-graphitized VGCF, carbon black, and mesophase pitch based carbon fiber (CF) on the crystallization was examined.…”

Production, structure, and mechanical properties of carbon plastics based on a crystallizing polyimide matrix modified by carbon nanofibers

“…The crystallization of the R-ODFO matrix after melting can be accelerated by modifying it with bis-imides of chemical structure similar to that of the PI itself, which is explained by the plastification effect, which increases the molecular mobility of the PI and correspondingly the capacity to crystallize [5][6][7] We have researched the effects of carbon fillers of nanodimensional level on the mechanical properties of CP based on PI in the R-ODFO matrix crystallization [8][9][10]. Those particles act as nuclei for the crystallization of the polymer matrix, for which we have selected carbon nanofibers obtained by pyrolytic deposition of carbon (VGCF, Showa Denko company, Japan).…”

“…For some years [5][6][7][8][9][10] we have been researching thermoplastic PI based on 1,3-bis-(3,3′,4,4′-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene (R) and 4,4′-bis-(4-aminophenoxy)disphenyl (ODFO) for use as binders for carbon plastics:…”