Confirmation of a nanohybrid shish‐kebab (NHSK) structure in composites of PET and MWCNTs. Issue 2 (11th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Heeley, Ellen L.; Hughes, Darren J.; Crabb, Eleanor M.; Bowen, James; Bikondoa, Oier; Mayoral, Beatriz; McNally, Tony
• Is Part Of: Journal of polymer science. Volume 55:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 132
• Page End: 137
• Publication Date: 2016-10-11
• Subjects: crystallization -- crystalline morphology -- lamellar -- orientation -- kinetics -- polymer‐MWCNT composites -- small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS); 547
• DOI: 10.1002/polb.24254
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6266

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Here, the confirmation of an oriented nanohybrid shish‐kebab (NHSK) crystalline structure in a series of composites of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is reported. The combined use of small‐ and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) and thermal analysis has been used to investigate the morphology development in PET‐MWCNT nanocomposites under hot isothermal crystallization conditions. The MWCNTs act as both heterogeneous nucleating agents and surfaces (oriented shish structures) for the epitaxial growth of PET crystallites (kebabs) giving an oriented crystalline morphology. In contrast, the PET homopolymer does not show any residual oriented crystalline morphology during isothermal crystallization but gave a sporadic nucleation of a classic unoriented lamellar structure with slower crystallization kinetics. The results provide a valuable insight into the role of MWCNTs as nanoparticulate fillers in the morphology development and subsequent modification of physical properties in engineering polymers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2017, 55, 132–137 Abstract : The development of an oriented nanohybrid shish‐kebab (NHSK) morphology in a series of PET‐MWCNT nanocomposites was followed during hot isothermal crystallization. The MWCNTs act as heterogeneous nucleation sites for the soft epitaxial growth of PET crystallites which increased the crystallization kinetics compared to neat PET. This provides valuable information on the morphology development during processing in engineering polymers.