Woodhead Publishing Polymer Carbon Nanotube Composites: Preparation, Properties and Applications (Woodhead Publishing in Materials) (Woodhead Publishing Series in Composites Science and Engineering)

Polymer-carbon nanotube composites reviews the use of carbon nanotubes as reinforcements in a polymer matrix, creating a new class of nanocomposites with useful properties and wide potential applications. Part 1 discusses preparation and processing techniques. Part 2 analyses key properties and ways of characterising polymer carbon nanotube composites. The final part of the book covers some of the important applications of this new group of materials. Key Features: provides comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the preparation, characterisation and properties of these technologically interesting new materials; reviews the preparation and processing of composites of thermoplastics with CNTs, covering in-situ polymerization, melt processing and CNT surface treatment; explores applications of polymer/CNT composites such as in fibres and cables, bioengineering applications and conductive polymer CNT composites for sensing. Contents: An introduction to polymer carbon nanotube composites. Part 1 Preparation and processing of polymer carbon nanotube composites: Polyolefin carbon nanotube composites by in-situ polymerisation; Surface treatment of carbon nanotubes via plasma technology; Functionalisation of carbon nanotubes for polymer nanocomposites; Influence of material and processing parameters on carbon nanotube dispersion in polymer melts; High-shear melt processing of polymer carbon nanotube composites; Injection moulding of polymer carbon nanotube composites; Elastomer carbon nanotube composites; Epoxy carbon nanotube composites. Part 2 Properties and characterisation of polymer carbon nanotube composites: Quantification of dispersion and distribution of carbon nanotubes in polymer composites using microscopy techniques; Influence of thermo-rheological history on electrical and rheological properties of polymer carbon nanotube composites; Electromagnetic properties of polymer carbon nanotube composites; Mechanical properties of polymer/polymer-grafted carbon nanotube composites; Multi-scale modeling of polymer carbon nanotube composites; Raman spectroscopy of polymer carbon nanotube composites; Rheology of polymer carbon nanotube composites melts; Thermal degradation of polymer carbon nanotube composites; Polyolefin carbon nanotube composites; Composites of poly(ethylene terephthlate) and carbon nanotubes; Carbon nanotubes in multiphase polymer blends; Toxicity and regulatory perspectives of carbon nanotubes. Part 3 Applications of polymer carbon nanotube composites: The use of polymer carbon nanotube composites in fibres; Biomedical/bioengineering applications of carbon nanotube based nanocomposites; Fire retardant applications of polymer carbon nanotube composites: Improved barrier effect and synergism; Polymer carbon nanotube composites for flame retardant cable applications; Polymer carbon nanotube conductive nanocomposites for sensing.