Effect of Processing Temperature and the Content of Carbon Nanotubes on the Properties of Nanocomposites Based on Polyphenylene Sulfide.

Kamil Dydek,Paulina Kozera,Michał Kubiś,Bogna Sztorch,Agata Sulowska,Paulina Latko-Durałek,Anna Boczkowska,Szymon Demski

doi:10.3390/polym13213816

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the effect of processing temperature and the content of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the rheological, thermal, and electrical properties of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)/MWCNT nanocomposites. It was observed that the increase in MWCNT content influenced the increase of the complex viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus. The microscopic observations showed that with an increase in the amount of MWCNTs, the areal ratio of their agglomerates decreases. Thermogravimetric analysis showed no effect of processing temperature and MWCNT content on thermal stability; however, an increase in stability was observed as compared to neat PPS. The differential scanning calorimetry was used to assess the influence of MWCNT addition on the crystallization phenomenon of PPS. The calorimetry showed that with increasing MWCNT content, the degree of crystallinity and crystallization temperature rises. Thermal diffusivity tests proved that with an increase in the processing temperature and the content of MWCNTs, the diffusivity also increases and declines at higher testing temperatures. The resistivity measurements showed that the conductivity of the PPS/MWCNT nanocomposite increases with the increase in MWCNT content. The processing temperature did not affect resistivity.

Highlights

Modern technological developments have created a need for new materials or the expansion of parameters and functional features of currently available products
For the prepared polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)-based composites, the complex viscosity, storage, and loss modulus change in the presence of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which is presented in Figure 1a, b, and c, respectively
Based on the changes in storage and loss modulus, the rheological percolation threshold can be found between 0–2 wt% MWCNTs within the same range reported for PPS/MWCNT composites prepared by direct components mixing [17]

Summary

Introduction

Modern technological developments have created a need for new materials or the expansion of parameters and functional features of currently available products. High-performance thermoplastics, known as engineering polymers, have been the subject of study for many scientists. This was a result of the exceptional properties of the polymers, their ease of forming, and many possibilities of modifications. Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is one of the most used engineering semi-crystalline thermoplastic due to its properties and relatively high temperature resistance (melting point 275 ◦C) [5,6]. It is resistant to atmospheric factors, such as moisture and UV radiation. It has a low coefficient of thermal expansion and is, a material with excellent dimensional stability. Neat PPS possess exceptional properties, in the case of many applications, they are insufficient; a great deal of research focuses on improving them or adding new functional properties through the modification of PPS [10]

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