Polymer-Carbon Nanotube Composites

Understanding the properties of polymer carbon nanotube (CNT) composites is the key to these materials finding new applications in a wide range of industries, including but not limited to electronics, aerospace and biomedical/bioengineering. Polymer-carbon nanotube composites provides comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the preparation, characterisation, properties and applications of these technologically interesting new materials.Part one covers the preparation and processing of composites of thermoplastics with CNTs, with chapters covering in-situ polymerization, melt processing and CNT surface treatment, as well as elastomer and thermoset CNT composites. Part two concentrates on properties and characterization, including chapters on the quantification of CNT dispersion using microscopy techniques, and on topics as diverse as thermal degradation of polymer/CNT composites, the use of rheology, Raman spectroscopy and multi-scale modelling to study polymer/CNT composites, and CNT toxicity. In part three, the applications of polymer/CNT composites are reviewed, with chapters on specific applications such as in fibres and cables, bioengineering applications and conductive polymer CNT composites for sensing.With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Polymer-carbon nanotube composites is an essential reference for scientists, engineers and designers in high-tech industry and academia with an interest in polymer nanotechnology and nanocomposites.- Provides comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the preparation, characterisation and properties of these technologically interesting new materials- Reviews the preparation and processing of composites of thermoplastics with CNTs, covering in-situ polymerization, melt processing and CNT surface treatment- Explores applications of polymer/CNT composites such as in fibres and cables, bioengineering applications and conductive polymer CNT composites for sensing

Contributor contact detailsIntroduction to polymer-carbon nanotube compositesPart I: Preparation and processing of polymer-carbon nanotube compositesChapter 1: Polyolefin-carbon nanotube composites by in-situ polymerizationAbstract:1.1 Introduction1.2 In-situ polymerization techniques for polyolefin-CNT composites1.3 Polymer architecture by metallocene catalysis1.4 Polyethylene-CNT composites1.5 Polypropylene-CNT composites1.6 Conclusion and future trendsChapter 2: Surface treatment of carbon nanotubes via plasma technologyAbstract:2.1 Introduction2.2 Carbon nanotube surface chemistry and solution-based functionalization2.3 Plasma treatment of carbon nanotubes2.4 SummaryChapter 3: Functionalization of carbon nanotubes for polymer nanocompositesAbstract:3.1 Introduction3.2 Non-covalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes with polymers3.3 Covalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes with polymers3.4 Conclusion3.5 AcknowledgementsChapter 4: Influence of material and processing parameters on carbon nanotube dispersion in polymer meltsAbstract:4.1 Introduction4.2 Fundamentals of melt mixing and filler dispersion4.3 Review of the literature4.4 Batch compounding using small-scale mixers4.5 Continuous melt mixing using extruders4.6 Conclusion and future trends4.7 AcknowledgementsChapter 5: High-shear melt processing of polymer-carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:5.1 Introduction5.2 High-shear processing technique5.3 Polymer nanoblends by high-shear processing5.4 Polymer-carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites by high-shear processing5.5 Conclusion and future trendsChapter 6: Injection moulding of polymer-carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:6.1 Introduction6.2 Background6.3 Experiment design and materials6.4 Analysis6.5 Conclusion6.7 Appendix: list of unitsChapter 7: Elastomer-carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:7.1 Introduction7.2 Processing7.3 Structure-property relationships7.4 Systems with ionic liquids for increased coupling activity7.5 Hybrid systems based on silica filler7.6 ConclusionChapter 8: Epoxy-carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:8.1 Introduction8.2 Experimental materials and methods8.3 Chemorheological approach8.4 Chemorheological analysis of epoxy-CNTs systems8.5 Properties of epoxy-CNT composites8.6 Conclusion and future trendsPart II: Properties and characterization of polymer-carbon nanotube compositesChapter 9: Quantification of dispersion and distribution of carbon nanotubes in polymer composites using microscopy techniquesAbstract:9.1 Introduction9.2 Light microscopy9.3 Transmission electron microscopy9.4 Conclusion and future trends9.6 Appendix: list of abbreviationsChapter 10: Influence of thermo-rheological history on electrical and rheological properties of polymer-carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:10.1 Introduction10.2 Background10.3 Measuring techniques and materials10.4 Destruction and formation of electrical and rheological networks10.5 Influence of processing history10.6 Conclusion10.7 AcknowledgementsChapter 11: Electromagnetic properties of polymer-carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:11.1 Introduction11.2 Electromagnetic wave absorbing CNT composites11.3 Electromagnetic shielding CNT composites11.4 Other CNT composites' electromagnetic applications11.5 ConclusionChapter 12: Mechanical properties of polymer-polymer-grafted carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:12.1 Introduction12.2 Grafting of polymers onto CNTs12.3 Fabrication of composites12.4 Mechanical properties of polymer composites containing polymer-grafted CNTs12.5 ConclusionChapter 13: Multiscale modeling of polymer-carbon nanotube compositesAbstract:13.1 Introduction13.2 Computational modeling tools13.3 Equivalent-continuum modeling concepts13.4 Specific equivalent-continuum modeling methods13.5 Example: polymer-carbon nanotube composite13.6 Conclusion and future trends13.