Solvent-Free Ultrasonic Dispersion of Nanofillers in Epoxy Matrix
Dispersion of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers is a crucial processing step in the production of polymer-based nanocomposites and poses a great challenge due to the tendency of nanofillers to agglomerate. One of the most effective methods for dispersion is the use of a three-roll mill, which i...
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doaj-5df233362cd6480396eec83851e91a9f2021-01-20T00:06:08ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602021-01-011330830810.3390/polym13020308Solvent-Free Ultrasonic Dispersion of Nanofillers in Epoxy MatrixBenjamin Zanghellini0Patrick Knaack1Sebastian Schörpf2Karl-Heinz Semlitsch3Helga C. Lichtenegger4Bernhard Praher5Maria Omastova6Harald Rennhofer7Instiute of Physics and Materials Science, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1190 Vienna, AustriaInstiute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Technical University of Vienna, 1190 Vienna, AustriaInstiute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, Technical University of Vienna, 1190 Vienna, AustriaSecar Technology GmbH, Mürzzuschlag 8682, AustriaInstiute of Physics and Materials Science, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1190 Vienna, AustriaInstitute of Polymer Injection Moulding and Process Automation, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, AustriaPolymer Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 41 Bratislava, SlovakiaInstiute of Physics and Materials Science, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1190 Vienna, AustriaDispersion of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers is a crucial processing step in the production of polymer-based nanocomposites and poses a great challenge due to the tendency of nanofillers to agglomerate. One of the most effective methods for dispersion is the use of a three-roll mill, which is a well-established method and results in agglomerates below 5 µm. Nevertheless, this process is time-consuming and thus a limiting factor for industrial applications. Our aim was to establish an easy and efficient ultrasonic dispersion process, characterize the dispersion parameters, and compare both methods, ultrasonication and the three-roll mill. We applied rheological tests and analyzed the agglomerate sizes by an image fit of the microscopy images. All these analyses combined deliver a valuable set of information about the dispersion’s quality and, therefore, allows the improvement and further adaptation of the dispersion process.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/2/308ultrasonicationdispersionfunctionalizationcarbon nanotubesrheology |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Benjamin Zanghellini Patrick Knaack Sebastian Schörpf Karl-Heinz Semlitsch Helga C. Lichtenegger Bernhard Praher Maria Omastova Harald Rennhofer |
spellingShingle |
Benjamin Zanghellini Patrick Knaack Sebastian Schörpf Karl-Heinz Semlitsch Helga C. Lichtenegger Bernhard Praher Maria Omastova Harald Rennhofer Solvent-Free Ultrasonic Dispersion of Nanofillers in Epoxy Matrix Polymers ultrasonication dispersion functionalization carbon nanotubes rheology |
author_facet |
Benjamin Zanghellini Patrick Knaack Sebastian Schörpf Karl-Heinz Semlitsch Helga C. Lichtenegger Bernhard Praher Maria Omastova Harald Rennhofer |
author_sort |
Benjamin Zanghellini |
title |
Solvent-Free Ultrasonic Dispersion of Nanofillers in Epoxy Matrix |
title_short |
Solvent-Free Ultrasonic Dispersion of Nanofillers in Epoxy Matrix |
title_full |
Solvent-Free Ultrasonic Dispersion of Nanofillers in Epoxy Matrix |
title_fullStr |
Solvent-Free Ultrasonic Dispersion of Nanofillers in Epoxy Matrix |
title_full_unstemmed |
Solvent-Free Ultrasonic Dispersion of Nanofillers in Epoxy Matrix |
title_sort |
solvent-free ultrasonic dispersion of nanofillers in epoxy matrix |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Polymers |
issn |
2073-4360 |
publishDate |
2021-01-01 |
description |
Dispersion of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers is a crucial processing step in the production of polymer-based nanocomposites and poses a great challenge due to the tendency of nanofillers to agglomerate. One of the most effective methods for dispersion is the use of a three-roll mill, which is a well-established method and results in agglomerates below 5 µm. Nevertheless, this process is time-consuming and thus a limiting factor for industrial applications. Our aim was to establish an easy and efficient ultrasonic dispersion process, characterize the dispersion parameters, and compare both methods, ultrasonication and the three-roll mill. We applied rheological tests and analyzed the agglomerate sizes by an image fit of the microscopy images. All these analyses combined deliver a valuable set of information about the dispersion’s quality and, therefore, allows the improvement and further adaptation of the dispersion process. |
topic |
ultrasonication dispersion functionalization carbon nanotubes rheology |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/2/308 |
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