Type of Document	Thesis
Author	Kynard, Kristin
URN	etd-08012011-115036
Title	PMMA Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Foams for Energy Dissipation Applications
Degree	Master of Science
Department	Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Changchun Zeng Committee Chair Arda Vanli Committee Member Okenwa Okoli Committee Member
Keywords	PMMA Nanocomposite Foams Compressive Properties Energy Absorbtion Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes
Date of Defense	2011-06-30
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract Nanomaterials have attracted a great deal of research efforts due to the potential unprecedented properties these materials may provide. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of particular interest because of their exceptional mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. The purpose of this research is to develop poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposite foams with improved energy dissipation capabilities (toughness). PMMA CNTs nanocomposites were first synthesized by anti-solvent precipitation process (ASP). Nanocomposites with different CNTs concentrations were prepared. The dispersion of the CNTs in the polymer matrix was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nanocomposite foams were prepared by a batch process using carbon dioxide as the foaming agent. The foaming was conducted from the retrograde phase that enabled high CO2 solubility and facilitated formation of foams of high bubble density and small bubble size. The effects of foaming temperature, foaming time and CNTs concentration on the foam expansion ratio was investigated. The morphology of the prepared foams was studied by SEM. The compressive properties of the foams were measured and toughness determined. The nanocomposite foams with 0.5% CNT show improvement in energy absorbing capabilities. Upon further increasing CNT concentration, the capability decreases. Further analysis revealed that this was due to the non-uniform foam morphology in those nanocomposite foams. This in turn resulted in from the mixed nucleation mechanisms because of the insufficient CNT dispersion when foamed from the retrograde phase. Enhancement of CNT dispersion in the matrix is needed in order to improve the uniformity of the foams and realize the potential of these materials.
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