Electrical properties of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposite: Impact of synthesis catalyst

2^nd World Chemistry Conference

August 08-10, 2016 Toronto, Canada

Mohammad Arjmand

University of Calgary, Canada

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Chem Sci J

Abstract :

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition technique, wherein source and carrier gases (ethane, ammonia, and argon) were passed over alumina-supported metallic catalysts in a quartz tubular reactor at 7500C. Three different types of catalysts were used to synthesize N-CNTs: namely Co, Fe, and Ni. Synthesized N-CNTs were mixed with a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix with a miniature melt mixer at 2400C, and the resulting nanocomposites were compression molded. The morphology, aspect ratio, synthesis yield (weight of N-CNTs over the weight of final material) and nitrogen content of N-CNTs were investigated. We also studied the morphology, rheology, electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding of the nanocomposites. Substantial differences were observed in the synthesis yield, and the morphological, rheological, and electrical properties of the generated materials depending on catalyst type. (N-CNT)Co nanocomposites showed superior electrical properties compared to the other two types of catalyst. This was ascribed to a combination of high synthesis yield, high aspect ratio, low nitrogen content and high crystallinity of N-CNTs combined with good state of N-CNT dispersion. marjmand@ucalgary.ca