Soto-Medina, Sujeily

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    Fabrication and characterization of chitin-carbon nanotubes composites
    (2015) Soto-Medina, Sujeily; Suárez, O. Marcelo; College of Engineering; Quintero, Pedro; Valentín, Ricky; Department of Mechanical Engineering; Padovani-Blanco, Agnes M.
    Most polymers by themselves have limitations due to their poor mechanical, thermal and electrical properties compared with metallic and ceramic materials. Therefore, to expand their range of applications these properties must be enhanced. In particular, polymer matrix composites are attractive because of their low cost, high tensile strength, high stiffness, and good corrosion resistance. The present study focuses on the fabrication of low cost chitin films reinforced with multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs). An additional benefit of this composite is that more than 90% of its mass is biodegradable, which makes it desirable for environmental issues. This composite has potential usage as aerospace structural parts and components. To fabricate these composites, CNTs were dispersed and incorporated into the chitin solution. Different dispersion methods were tested, including ball milling, ultrasonic bath and an ultrasonic probe. The films were characterized with FTIR, optical microscopy, thermogravimetry, and thermomechanical analysis. Better dispersions were obtained via dispersion of the CNT with an ultrasonic bath. The results suggested that the reinforcement effect of the matrix only occurs at high temperature, i.e. 150ºC. At this temperature the polymer is in its rubbery state, which allowed the CNTs to enter in the free volume of the matrix space restraining the movement.