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Applied Polymer Composites

STUDIES OF THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE ADHESIVES WITH CARBON NANOTUBES OBTAINED BY TWO DIFFERENT ROUTES AND THEIR INTERACTION MECHANISMS

January 1, 2013 By: Orgiles-Calpena E; Aran-Ais F; Torro-Palau A M; Orgiles-Barcelo C Research article

Title: STUDIES OF THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE ADHESIVES WITH CARBON NANOTUBES OBTAINED BY TWO DIFFERENT ROUTES AND THEIR INTERACTION MECHANISMS
Page Range: p.9-26
Author(s): Orgiles-Calpena E; Aran-Ais F; Torro-Palau A M; Orgiles-Barcelo C
File size: 255K
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Journal: Applied Polymer Composites
Issue Year: apc
Volume: 1
Issue No: No.1

Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) combine excellent mechanical properties, high electrical and thermal conductivity, etc., and therefore have created a great interest in materials science and many industrial applications. The incorporation of carbon nanotubes to adhesives offers promising scientific potential to develop nanocomposites with improved properties and new functionalities. However, the addition of these nanofillers is challenging because of their tendency to the form aggregates and sedimentation. Consequently, it is necessary to insert functional groups on the surface of the nanotubes to promote and optimise their interaction with the polymer matrix. In this work, carbon nanotubes have been functionalised by an acid treatment and subsequently incorporated in a thermoplastic polyurethane adhesive (TPU) by two different methods: i) during polyurethane synthesis by in situ polymerisation; ii) external incorporation by dispersing nanotubes within the adhesive. The influence on the rheological, thermal and adhesive properties has been reported, and the analysis of the complex interactions of carbon nanotube-polyurethane has been discussed. 18 Refs.

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