Carbon nano-onion-filled polyacrylonitrile/polyethylenimine foams: structure, characteristics, and ion detoxification studies. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kausar, Ayesha
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Chinese Advanced Materials Society. Volume 6:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 352
• Page End: 368
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Polyacrylonitrile/polyethylenimine -- carbon nano-onion -- foam -- V-1 rating -- Pb2+ ions; Materials -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials; Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1080/22243682.2018.1473051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2224-3682

Abstract

Abstract: This study reports on novel polyacrylonitrile/polyethylenimine (PAN/PEI) blend, polyacrylonitrile/polyethylenimine/carbon nano-onion (PAN/PEI/CNO) nanocomposite and related PAN/PEI/CNO foam materials with 0.5–5 wt.% nanofiller loading. Acid functional carbon nano-onion was used as reinforcement. Foams were produced using reflux method and 2′-azobisisobutyronitrile foaming agent. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed unique hexagonal morphology with uniformly dispersed carbon nano-onion nanoparticle. Inclusion of 5 wt.% nanofiller enhanced the compression strength, modulus and density of the foams up to 68.8 MPa, 32.1 GPa, and 1.2 mgcm −3, respectively. Thermal stability of the nanocomposite foams was enhanced with nanofiller loading and attained V-1 rating in UL94 test. Addition of 5 wt.% CNO in PAN/PEI/CNO 5 Foam enhanced the initial weight loss ( T 0 ), 10% degradation temperature ( T 10 ), and maximum decomposition temperature ( T max ) to 510, 524 °C, 555 °C, respectively. Water absorption capacity was progressively enhanced with time and was maximum for PAN/PEI/CNO 5 Foam (29.5%) after 96 h, while neat PAN/PEI foam had 19.8% water absorption in the same time period. Novel foams have been tested for the removal of toxic Pb 2+ ions and PAN/PEI/CNO 5 Foam with 5 wt.% carbon nano-onion showed much higher removal efficiency (97%) than that of neat foam (65%). GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: