Dynamic mechanical analysis, electrical properties and water sorption behaviour, of phenol formaldehyde nanocomposite reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

The goal of this research is to synthesise Phenol-formaldehyde nanocomposites containing pure multiwalled carbon nanotubes using an in-situ polymerisation process. The impact of filler loadings (MWCNT) with various weight percentages in the composite was explored in this research. The visco-elastic, electrical, morphological, and water sorption behaviour of the nanocomposites were investigated. The influence of MWCNT loading on the dynamic mechanical analysis, water uptake, electrical behaviour was examined. Using in-situ polymerisation, an effort was made to generate non agglomerated and homogenius dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in the PF composite. The influence of MWCNT dispersion on the viscoelastic characteristics, electrical, morphological, and water sorption behaviour of PF-MWCNT nanocomposites has been thoroughly investigated. When compared to neat PF, lower filler loading (0.05 wt%, 0.08 wt percent) resulted in greater AC conductivity. According to DMA investigation of PF-MWCNT, 0.15 wt% has a greater storage modulus and 0.05 has a higher glass transition temperature. The addition of MWCNT has effectively reduced the water uptake of the entire nanocomposite.