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Abstract:
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Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) based nanocomposites have been prepared with single walled carbon nanotubes
(SWNTs) through an ultrasound assisted dissolution-evaporation method. Differential scanning calorimetry studies
showed that SWNTs nucleate crystallization in PET at weight fractions as low as 0.3%, as the nanocomposite melt crystallized
during cooling at temperature 24 °C higher than neat PET of identical molecular weight. Isothermal crystallization
studies also revealed that SWNTs significantly accelerate the crystallization process. Mechanical properties of the PETSWNT
nanocomposites improved as compared to neat PET indicating the effective reinforcement provided by nanotubes
in the polymer matrix. Electrical conductivity measurements on the nanocomposite films showed that SWNTs at concentrations
exceeding 1 wt% in the PET matrix result in electrical percolation. Comparison of crystallization, conductivity and
transmission electron microscopy studies revealed that ultrasound assisted dissolution-evaporation method enables more
effective dispersion of SWNTs in the PET matrix as compared to the melt compounding method |