The Effect of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes on the Thermal Conductivity and Cellular Size of Polyurethane Foam

Huynh Mai Duc,Dat Nguyen Huu,Quynh Hoa Kieu Thi,Trung Tran Huu,Hai Luong Nhu,Hong Phan Ngoc,Giang Nguyen Vu,Thao Nguyen Van,Lu Le Trong,Hoang Vinh Tran

doi:10.1155/2021/6634545

Huynh Mai Duc, Dat Nguyen Huu + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6634545

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Abstract

Polyurethane (PU) foam is known as the popular material for the applications in many fields of industry and life. To improve the mechanical and thermal properties of this material, in this research, PU foam was reinforced with aniline-modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectrum of modified MWCNTs showed the aniline was grafted on the surface of MWCNTs through the appearance of –NH2 stretches. The effect of MWCNTs with and without modification on the density, porosity, compressive strength, and heat conductivity of PU/MWCNT foam nanocomposites was investigated. The dispersibility of MWCNTs in the PU matrix was enhanced after modification with aniline. Compressive strength of PU nanocomposite reached the highest value after adding 3 wt.% of modified MWCNTs into PU foam. Besides, the water uptake of PU nanocomposites using 3 wt.% of MWCNTs was decreased to 13.4% as compared to that using unmodified MWCNTs. The improvement in thermal conductivity of PU/aniline-modified MWCNT nanocomposite was observed due to the change in the cellular size of PU foam in the presence of MWCNTs as shown by SEM images.

Highlights

Unlike most plastics, polyurethane (PU) foam belongs to the cellular material that possesses unique properties in thermal porosity and mechanical properties
For original multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), the peak at 1628 cm-1is characterized for C=C bonding, which related to the original structure of carbon nanotubes
PU foam nanocomposites reinforced with unmodified and modified MWCNTs with different concentrations were prepared by a moulding process

Summary

Introduction

Polyurethane (PU) foam belongs to the cellular material that possesses unique properties in thermal porosity and mechanical properties. These properties can be changed in a wide range by adjusting the raw materials to manufacture PU foam such as polyol, isocyanate, and catalysts. Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were studied as high-performance reinforcement additives for PU foam due to their excellent axial tensile strength, superior thermal and electrical properties, and thermal conductivity [12,13,14]. The thermal conductivity of PU foam nanocomposites reinforced a large amount in the range of 1-5 wt.% of MWCNTs which has not been mentioned yet. MWCNTs have been modified with aniline to improve the compatibility with PU matrix as well as the properties of PU foam nanocomposites

Experiment

Characterizations

Results and Discussion

Thermal Properties of PU Foam Nanocomposites

Conclusion