• Composites Research
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.23-31
• /
• 2006

We measured mechanical properties, including Young's modulus, effective bending modulus and nominal fracture strength of nanohoneycomb structures using an Atomic Force Microscope(AFM) and a Nano-Universal Testing Machine(UTM). Anodic aluminum oxide(AAO) films are well suited as nanohoneycomb structures because of the simple fabrication process, high aspect ratio, self-ordered hexagonal pore structure, and simple control of pore dimensions. Bending tests were carried out for cantilever structures by pressing AFM tips, and the results were compared with three-point bending tests and tensile tests using a Nano-UTM. One side of the AAO films is clogged by harrier layers, and looks like a face material of conventional sandwich structures. Analysis of this layer showed that it did not influence the bending rigidity, and was just a crack tip. The present results can act as a design guideline in applications of nanohoneycomb structures.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2005

Carbon nanofiber exhibits superior and of ien unique characteristics of mechanical, electrical, chemical and thermal properties. Despite of the excellent properties of carbon nanofiber, the properties of carbon nanofiber filled polymer composites were not increased largely. The reason is that it is still difficult to ensure the uniform dispersion of carbon nanofiber in a polymer matrix. In this study, for improvement of the mechanical properties of composites, carbon nanofiber reinforced hybrid composites was investigated. For the dispersion of carbon nanofiber. solution blending method using ultrasonic was used. Dispersion of carbon nanoifiber was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEH). Mechanical properties were measured by universal testing machine(UTM).

• Clean Technology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.11-18
• /
• 2006

In this study, aqueous polyurethane dispersion(PUD) was synthesized using polyhexamethylene carbonate glycol (PHMCG) as soft segment, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) as hard segment. Also, polyurethane/clay nanocomposites were prepared by adding pristine montmorillonite (PM) and organically modified clays, C15A and C30B into PUD. The degree of clay dispersion in the nanocomposites was investigated using XRD and the physical and thermal properties were examined through UTM and TGA. These results showed that nanocomposites with C15A gave higher physical and thermal properties than those with C30B or PM. As a result, the properties of nanocomposites were observed to vary depending on the types of clay modifiers and clay contents.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.379-384
• /
• 2007

The nanocomposites with inorganic nano powder, improved thermal stability, were prepared by urethane polymerization. The structure and surface properties of the nanocomposites were determined by X-ray diffraction and FT-IR, respectively. The thermal stabilities were studied using TGA and DSC. Their morphologies and mechanical properties were observed by SEM and UTM. As a result, the nanocomposites with MMT led to the increase of the silicate layers. The distance between layers of the nanacomposites with MMT was increased by $7.5{\AA}$ and the new peaks at $1038cm^{-1}$ were shown in the presence of the Si-O groups on the silica. The thermal stabilities of the nanocomposites were higher than those of pore polyurethane matrix. The nanocomposites had higher in mechanical properties than the pure polyurethane matrix.

• Elastomers and Composites
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.455-465
• /
• 2009

In this study, Organo-montmorillonite(MMT) was synthesized by intercalation of various amine(Octylamine, Dodecylamine, Dimethyldodecylamine, Octadecylamine) compounds into layered silicate. Natural Rubber(NR)/MMT nanocomposites were prepared by reinforcement of Organo-MMT. X-ray diffraction(XRD) and Scanning electron microscope(SEM) were employed to characterize the layer distance of Organo-MMT and the morphology of the NR/MMT nanocomposites. The structures of the synthesized Organo-MMTs were analyzed by the measurement of FT-IR. Cure characteristics, surface free energy and mechanical properties such as tensile strength, modulus and hardness of NR/MMT nanocomposites were carefully studied by contact angle meter, ODR, UTM, and hardness tester. FT-IR analysis showed a insertion of the alkyl and amine chains into the interlayers of the MMT. It was shown that the cure time of the organo-MMT was more decreased than that of $Na^+$-MMT. Surface free energy and tensile strength of the NR/DDA-MMT nanocomposite were the highest. NR/ODA-MMT nanocomposite was the highest in hardness.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.29-35
• /
• 2004

We have prepared polyster/nanQhybridized polyimide films in the range of 1~9 wt% of organophilic synthetic layered silicate (STN). Firstly, poly(amic acid)/STN nanocomposite solutions were prepared via solution blending method in DMAc or THF/MeOH solution, and then cast on the polyester film followed by imidization reaction, thermal and chemical method repestively. XRD and TEM experiment showed that the STN was fully exfoliated through the polyimide matrix. Surface morphologies of nanohybridized polyimide films were characterized by AFM and thermal, mechanical properties were also confirmed by TGA, DMA and UTM each. And also, the water vapor permeabilities highly depended on the content of STN. The sample from chemical imidization route and THF/MeOH solvent system showed better water vapor barrier properties than thermal one and DMAc system.

• Membrane Journal
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.204-210
• /
• 2013

Recently, many applications with grapheneoxide (GO) have been reported. But GO membrane for water treatment has not been developed. In this study we prepared polyvinylidene difluoride (PVdF) nanofiber/GO hybrid membrane (FG) for the microfiltration application. The PVdF substrate membrane was prepared by using the electrospinning method with a solution of PVdF in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and acetone. GO sheets used in this study were prepared by modified Hummer's method. The PVdF/GO hybrid membrane was finally prepared by spraying the GO solution dispersed in ethanol on the PVdF nanofiber. The successfully prepared FG was thoroughly examined by SEM, Raman, contact angle, porometer and UTM, and water-flux was measured with designed cell (Dead-End Cell). From the contact angle results, it was found that the surface of FG membrane was reformed by hydrophilic property and the water permeability was increased about 2.5 times than that of the nascent PVdF membrane, indicating the possible alternative of the commercial MF membrane.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.326-332
• /
• 2010

Nanocomposite films were prepared by blending poly(amic acid)(PAA), poly(o-hydroxyamide)( PHA) and organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) that has a layered structure. XRD, SEM and TEM were used to study the morphology of PAA/PHA nanocomposites, and DMA, TGA, UTM, LOI and PCFC techniques were used to characterize the mechanical and thermal properties, and flame retardancy of the nanocomposites. TEM images revealed that OMMT layers were well dispersed in the PAA/PHA matrix and showed exfoliation and intercalation behavior. The addition of 3 wt% OMMT to the PAA/PHA blend increased the initial modulus of PAA/ PHA blend to 3.68 GPa that was ca. 48% higher than that of the control PAA/PHA blend. Above 4 wt%, however, both the initial modulus and the tensile strength were found to decrease, which might be due to the aggregation of OMMT in PAA/PHA matrix. When the OMMT content was below 3 wt%, the thermal stability and flame retardancy of the PAA/PHA nanocomposites increased with increasing OMMT content.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.367-371
• /
• 2007

Nanocomposites prepared by PP(Polypropylene) based compatibilizers modified with GMA(Glycidyl methacrylate) and HEMA(Hydroxyethyl methacrylate) were used to investigate the clay dispersion and mechanical properties of them. XRD patterns showed the improvement of dispersion through clay intercalation according to the compatibilizers and comonomer. GMA modified polypropylene gave the best mechanical properties of the nanocomposite with respect to the balance of Flexural modulus (FM) and Notched izod impact strength(IS). Compatibilizers with comonoer commonly have higher grafting yield and lower melt flow rate than those of comonomer free. And they enhanced the clay dispersion and mechanical properties of nanocomposites. Optimum ratio of monomer to comonomer for nanocomposites having better mechanical properties is about 1 to 1 ratio.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.518-525
• /
• 2007

The thermomechanical properties and morphologies of nanocomposite fibers of poly(ethylene terephthalate)(PET) incorporating thermally stable organoclays are compared. Dodecyltriphenyl-phosphonium-mica($C_{12}PPh-Mica$) and 1-hexadecane benzimidazole-mica ($C_{16}BIMD-Mica$) were used as reinforcing fillers in the fabrication of PET hybrid fibers. Dispersions of organoclays with PET were studied by using the in-situ polymerization method at various organoclay contents to produce nano-scale composites. The thermo-mechanical properties and morphologies of the PET hybrid fibers were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), wide angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), and a universal tensile machine (UTM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs show that some of the clay layers are dispersed homogeneously within the polymer matrix on the nano-scale, although some clay particles are agglomerated. We also found that the addition of only a small amount of organoclay is enough to improve the thermal stabilities and mechanical properties of the PET nanocomposite fibers. Even polymers with low organoclay content (<5 wt%) were found to exhibit much higher thermo-mechanical values than pure PET fibers.