Abstract Two series of polyurethane (PU) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) based composites with 0.0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mass% of CNT were obtained from diluting a commercial masterbatch with 30 mass% CNT and using two different dispersion methods. The quality of the dispersions was assessed using optical microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopies. These tests showed that high controlled shear stress is necessary to produce composites with nanoscale dispersion: the elastic modulus improved by an average of 38% in the case of the high-shear dispersed materials in comparison with the neat polymer. A specific fatigue test conducted by dynamic mechanical analysis was first used in this work to compare the neat PU with the CNT/PU nanocomposites. The number of cycles to failure increased from 2700 for the neat polymer to 3200 for the 0.5 mass% CNT based nanocomposite; the elongation at failure increased by 145% in the test conditions.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes with different concentrations of multi-walled carbon nanotubes were prepared in order to evaluate their gas separation performances. Mixed matrix membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transformed infrared, positron annihilation lifetime and Raman spectroscopies and X-ray diffraction. The permeabilities to CO2, CH4, N2 and O2 were determined. No phase separation was noticed. For carbon nanotubes content of 1 wt%, it was shown a decrease in membrane permeability with slight increase in ideal selectivity, compared to pure PDMS. However, the increase in the filler load up to 6.7 wt% increased the free volume average size of the membranes, improving the contribution of the diffusion to the transport and decreasing ideal selectivities of CO2/CH4, CO2/N2 and O2/N2.

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is one of the most important engineering materials owing to outstanding properties like impact strength and abrasion resistance. However, the relatively low Young´s modulus restricts some application and the use of fillers may be a suitable way to overcome this. The fillers can influence the photo stabilization of the compound, as it occurs to other polymers. Neat UHMWPE and its composites with 1 and 10% of iron ore fine were exposed to ultraviolet radiation for up to 33 days and then tested for mechanical properties. The stress-strain behaviour changed with degradation, with an evident necking and strain hardening region that was not observed before exposure, due to a reduction in entanglements density. From the tensile results, the filler may have a protection action against UV, particularly when a loading of 10% was present. Complementary analyses were performed, including X-ray diffraction, DSC and SEM.

Resumo Neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um processo empregando misturador de alto cisalhamento e moinho de rolos para dispersar MWCNTs (multiwalled carbon nanotubes) puros e modificados em poliol visando a preparação de concentrados de 3% em massa. Condições otimizadas no trabalho permitiram a obtenção de suspensões com menor número e tamanho de agregados de MWCNTs. Compósitos contendo 0,5% em massa de MWCNTs foram preparados por diluição dos concentrados em poliol usando mistura mecânica seguida de cura. Resultados de microscopia indicaram que as melhores dispersões foram obtidas com os MWCNTs modificados, os quais permitiram um aumento na tensão na ruptura, no alongamento e uma melhor preservação da estabilidade térmica. Além disso, valores de condutividade elétrica sugerem que o compósito possa ser empregado para dissipação eletrostática. Dessa forma, os resultados obtidos demonstram que a modificação covalente da superfície dos MWCNTs e a utilização de estratégias eficientes de dispersão são essenciais para melhorar as propriedades finais dos nanocompósitos.

Abstract A process employing high shear mixer and roll mill to disperse pristine and modified MWCNTs (multiwalled carbon nanotubes) in polyol was developed in order to prepare 3 wt% masterbatches. The optimum process conditions resulted in suspensions with smaller number and size of nanotube aggregates. Composites containing 0.5 wt% of MWCNTs were prepared by dilution of polyol masterbatches by simple mechanical mixing followed by cure. Microscopy data revealed better dispersion of modified carbon nanotubes in the polymer matrix, which promoted an increase in the tensile strength, elongation and a better preservation of thermal stability. Furthermore, electric conductivity values indicated that the composites can be used for electrostatic dissipation. These results demonstrate that the covalent modification of MWCNTs surface and the use of efficient dispersion strategies are essential to improve nanocomposites’ final properties.