Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Oligomer Functionalization of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Thomas, Bradley C.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1438519073

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Science (M.S.), University of Dayton, Chemical Engineering.
In an effort to translate the superlative mechanical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to polymeric media, a novel oligomeric functionalization approach is investigated here. Industrial multiwall carbon nanotubes were subjected first to a gas-phase oxidation process followed by grafting with an amine derivative based on the reaction between diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) and triglycidal p-aminophenol (TGAP). By reacting the TGAP with an excess of DDS, a long chain molecule with free amine groups was created that could react with the functionality of the MWCNTs. The synthesized amine derivative oligomer was reactively attached to the MWCNTs via two methods. The first used a diazonium salt reaction scheme whereby isoamyl nitrite was used to convert the aryl amine (AD) to the diazonium salt, which could then couple with the MWCNT through electron donation. The second method used a peptide coupling agent, O-Benzotriazole-N,N,N’,N’-tetramethyl-uronium-hexafluoro-phosphate (HBTU), to aid in the reaction between the free amine of the DDS:TGAP amine derivative and the carboxylic acid on the nanotube. To determine the effect the oligomer functionalized carbon nanotubes had on a polymeric system, the AD grafted tubes were dispersed into tetraglycidyl methylene dianiline (TGMDA) at 0.5, 1, & 2wt% concentration and cured with DDS. Parallel plate rheometric analysis was then performed on the resulting systems to determine how the functionalized carbon nanotubes affected the rheological properties of the polymer. It was discovered that the functionalized carbon nanotubes had a catalytic effect on the polymer system, accelerating the onset of cure. Furthermore, loss and storage modulus analysis revealed uncommon behavior in the MWCNT enhanced systems, resulting in gel point determination that was not characterized by G’ G” crossover. Cured specimens were then tested in oscillating torsion to determine oscillation stress increases over the unmodified polymer with increasing temperature. The greatest increase in oscillation stress over the unmodified TGMDA:DDS polymer, 67%, was recorded at 400°F by the 0.5wt% HBTU modified TGAP:DDS functionalized MWCNT system. Three point bend testing was then performed on cured specimens to determine the reinforcing properties of the oligomer functionalized carbon nanotubes. Testing revealed that the HBTU:AD functionalized MWCNT at 0.5wt% loading increased average ultimate flexural strength by 77% over the unmodified system .
Khalid Lafdi, D. Sc., Ph. D. (Advisor)
Donald Klosterman, Ph. D. (Committee Member)
Charles Browning, Ph. D. (Committee Member)
154 p.
Chemical Engineering
Carbon Nanotube; MWCNT; Functionalization

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Thomas, B. C. (2015). Oligomer Functionalization of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes [Master's thesis, University of Dayton]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1438519073

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Thomas, Bradley. Oligomer Functionalization of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes. 2015. University of Dayton, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1438519073.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Thomas, Bradley. "Oligomer Functionalization of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes." Master's thesis, University of Dayton, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1438519073

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

dayton1438519073
628
© 2015, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Dayton and OhioLINK.