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Application of nanoparticles in polymeric foams

Shen, Jiong
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1150139899

Abstract Details

2006, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Chemical Engineering.
In this work, we used nanoclay and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) to produce polystyrene (PS) nanocomposite foams. Foams with different morphologies and densities were developed to address the needs of two target markets, building construction and thermal insulation. The foaming agents used in this study were carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or water, both selected with regard to their favorable environmental properties. The nucleation effect of CNFs on the PS-CO2 foaming process was demonstrated in this work. In the presence of only 1wt% CNFs, the cell size decreased from 20 (neat PS foam) to 2.6 micrometer, while the cell density increased from 8.23„e107 to 2.78„e1010 cells/cm3, yielding a perfect microcellular structure. The reinforcing effect of CNFs on the PS foams was demonstrated by tensile and compressive properties. In the presence of 5wt% CNFs, PS foams exhibited mechanical properties (e.g. compressive) comparable or even superior to those of neat PS solid. At the same time, a comparative weight reduction of 50% was achieved. These results confirmed the feasibility of using nanocomposite foams as lightweight high-strength structural materials. To address the development of low-density polymeric foams for thermal insulation, water expandable PS-clay nanocomposites (WEPSCN) was synthesized. A novel method was developed to produce WEPSCN beads containing myriads of water/clay droplets. Using this method, nanoclay can be incorporated into the polymer without the use of fire-hazard surfactants. Once CO2 was applied as the co-blowing agents, foams with ultra-low density (< 0.06 g/cm3) and desirable cell structures for insulation were produced. In a particle-filled plastic system, the reinforcing efficiency greatly depends on the interactions between the particle and the polymer. In this study, we investigated the interactions between the PS and the carbon-based particles using a supported PS thin film configuration. A graphite substrate was used to resemble the carbon surface. Glass transition temperature (Tg) of the PS film was chosen as a measurable indicator which can reflects the level of the polymer-particle interactions. The substrate-induced Tg enhancement was observed and served as a confirmation of the strong PS-carbon interactions. The results of this work provided guide for the design of polymer nanocomposites with improved reinforcing efficiency.
Ly Lee (Advisor)

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Citations

  • Shen, J. (2006). Application of nanoparticles in polymeric foams [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1150139899

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Shen, Jiong. Application of nanoparticles in polymeric foams. 2006. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1150139899.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Shen, Jiong. "Application of nanoparticles in polymeric foams." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1150139899

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1150139899
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© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.