Segregated Networks of Carbon Black in Poly(vinyl acetate) Latex: Influence of Clay on the Electrical and Mechanical Behavior

The Effect of Silica Nanofiller on the Physical and Thermal Characteristics of Rubber-Based Composites

The use of nano composites in elastomer blends gives outstanding mechanical properties compared to the use of micro and macro composites, even with very low nano filler content. In this paper, we studied the influence of varying proportions of natural rubber (NR) and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) reinforced with nano silica on the mechanical and thermal characteristics of the rubber. Mechanical characterizations were carried out with hardness, tensile strength, elongation at break, tear strength, modulus and toughness. For thermal analyses, we used differential scanning calorimetry ( DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). In most cases, the increase in the percentage of NBR with the presence of nano silica enhances hardness, modulus and toughness, however, it reduces tensile strength, tear strength and elongation at break. It was found that nano silica has a catalytic effect on the mixture, and NBR has a catalytic effect on the decomposition of NR.

Largely enhanced electrical properties of polymer composites via the combined effect of volume exclusion and synergy

The core–shell structure of surface conductive SiO₂@rGO could result in enhanced electrical conductivity and EMI shielding effectiveness as due to both synergistic effect and volume exclusion effect.

Alumina–clay nanoscale hybrid filler assembling in cross-linked polyethylene based nanocomposites: mechanics and thermal properties

Herein, investigation on XLPE–Al₂O₃–clay ternary hybrid systems of Al₂O₃ and clay in 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 ratios, binary systems of XLPE–clay and XLPE–Al₂O₃ nanocomposites, with special reference to the hybrid filler effect and the superior microstructural development in ternary systems is conducted.

Films, Buckypapers and Fibers from Clay, Chitosan and Carbon Nanotubes

The mechanical and electrical characteristics of films, buckypapers and fiber materials from combinations of clay, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and chitosan are described. The rheological time-dependent characteristics of clay are maintained in clay-carbon nanotube-chitosan composite dispersions. It is demonstrated that the addition of chitosan improves their mechanical characteristics, but decreases electrical conductivity by three-orders of magnitude compared to clay-CNT materials. We show that the electrical response upon exposure to humid atmosphere is influenced by clay-chitosan interactions, i.e., the resistance of clay-CNT materials decreases, whereas that of clay-CNT-chitosan increases.

Conductive bio-Polymer nano-Composites (CPC): chitosan-carbon nanotube transducers assembled via spray layer-by-layer for volatile organic compound sensing

The chemo-electrical properties of chitosan-carbon nanotubes (Chit-CNT) Conductive bio-Polymer nano-Composites (CPC) transducers processed by spray layer-by-layer (LbL) technique have been investigated. Results show that unlike most synthetic polymer matrices, chitosan provides the transducer with high sensitivity towards not only polar vapours like water and methanol but also to a lesser extent toluene. Quantitative responses are obtained, well fitted with the Langmuir-Henry-Clustering (LHC) model allowing to link electrical signal to vapour content. Chit-CNT transducers selectivity was also correlated with an exponential law to the inverse of Flory-Huggins interaction parameter chi(12). These properties make Chit-CNT a good transducer to be implemented in an e-nose. Additionally, the observation by atomic force microscopy (AFM) of Chit-CNT morphology suggests a chemical nano-switching mechanism promoting tunnelling conduction and originating macroscopic vapour sensing.