A Comparative Study on the Role of Polyvinylpyrrolidone Molecular Weight on the Functionalization of Various Carbon Nanotubes and Their Composites

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposites filled with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) wrapped carbon nanotubes were prepared via a solution casting technique. The effect of the molecular weight (polymer chain length) of the PVP on the ability to wrap different nanotube structures and its impact towar...

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Main Authors: Muthuraman Namasivayam, Mats R. Andersson, Joseph G. Shapter
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
Series:Polymers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/15/2447
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author Muthuraman Namasivayam
Mats R. Andersson
Joseph G. Shapter
author_facet Muthuraman Namasivayam
Mats R. Andersson
Joseph G. Shapter
author_sort Muthuraman Namasivayam
collection DOAJ
description Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposites filled with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) wrapped carbon nanotubes were prepared via a solution casting technique. The effect of the molecular weight (polymer chain length) of the PVP on the ability to wrap different nanotube structures and its impact towards nanotube dispersibility in the polymer matrix was explored. The study was conducted with PVP of four different molecular weights and nanotubes of three different structures. The composites that exhibit an effective nanotube dispersion lead to a nanotube network that facilitates improved thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. It was observed that nanotubes of different structures exhibit stable dispersions in the polymer matrix though PVP functionalization of different molecular weights, but the key is achieving an effective nanotube dispersion at low PVP concentrations. This is observed in MWNT and AP-SWNT based composites with PVP of low molecular weight, leading to a thermal conductivity enhancement of 147% and 53%, respectively, while for P3-SWNT based composites, PVP of high molecular weight yields an enhancement of 25% in thermal conductivity compared to the non-functionalized CNT-PVDF composite.
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spelling doaj.art-2f83ed4406a04344b0a6d992109bf1b52023-11-22T06:03:03ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602021-07-011315244710.3390/polym13152447A Comparative Study on the Role of Polyvinylpyrrolidone Molecular Weight on the Functionalization of Various Carbon Nanotubes and Their CompositesMuthuraman Namasivayam0Mats R. Andersson1Joseph G. Shapter2School of Engineering, Information Technology and Physical Sciences, Gippsland Campus, Federation University, Churchill, VIC 3842, AustraliaCollege of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, SA 5042, AustraliaCollege of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Adelaide, SA 5042, AustraliaPolyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposites filled with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) wrapped carbon nanotubes were prepared via a solution casting technique. The effect of the molecular weight (polymer chain length) of the PVP on the ability to wrap different nanotube structures and its impact towards nanotube dispersibility in the polymer matrix was explored. The study was conducted with PVP of four different molecular weights and nanotubes of three different structures. The composites that exhibit an effective nanotube dispersion lead to a nanotube network that facilitates improved thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. It was observed that nanotubes of different structures exhibit stable dispersions in the polymer matrix though PVP functionalization of different molecular weights, but the key is achieving an effective nanotube dispersion at low PVP concentrations. This is observed in MWNT and AP-SWNT based composites with PVP of low molecular weight, leading to a thermal conductivity enhancement of 147% and 53%, respectively, while for P3-SWNT based composites, PVP of high molecular weight yields an enhancement of 25% in thermal conductivity compared to the non-functionalized CNT-PVDF composite.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/15/2447polyvinylpyrrolidonepolymer nanocompositesnon-covalent functionalizationcarbon nanotubesphysical properties
spellingShingle Muthuraman Namasivayam
Mats R. Andersson
Joseph G. Shapter
A Comparative Study on the Role of Polyvinylpyrrolidone Molecular Weight on the Functionalization of Various Carbon Nanotubes and Their Composites
Polymers
polyvinylpyrrolidone
polymer nanocomposites
non-covalent functionalization
carbon nanotubes
physical properties
title A Comparative Study on the Role of Polyvinylpyrrolidone Molecular Weight on the Functionalization of Various Carbon Nanotubes and Their Composites
title_full A Comparative Study on the Role of Polyvinylpyrrolidone Molecular Weight on the Functionalization of Various Carbon Nanotubes and Their Composites
title_fullStr A Comparative Study on the Role of Polyvinylpyrrolidone Molecular Weight on the Functionalization of Various Carbon Nanotubes and Their Composites
title_full_unstemmed A Comparative Study on the Role of Polyvinylpyrrolidone Molecular Weight on the Functionalization of Various Carbon Nanotubes and Their Composites
title_short A Comparative Study on the Role of Polyvinylpyrrolidone Molecular Weight on the Functionalization of Various Carbon Nanotubes and Their Composites
title_sort comparative study on the role of polyvinylpyrrolidone molecular weight on the functionalization of various carbon nanotubes and their composites
topic polyvinylpyrrolidone
polymer nanocomposites
non-covalent functionalization
carbon nanotubes
physical properties
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/15/2447
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