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Composites of poly(ε‐caprolactone) and Mo 6 S 3 I 6 Nanowires
Author(s) -
Chin Seow Jecg,
Hornsby Peter,
Vengust Damjan,
Mihailović Dragan,
Mitra J.,
Dawson Paul,
McNally Tony
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.1838
Subject(s) - materials science , nucleation , nanowire , caprolactone , thermal decomposition , composite material , crystallization , extrusion , polycaprolactone , percolation (cognitive psychology) , scanning electron microscope , kinetics , spherulite (polymer physics) , amorphous solid , chemical engineering , polymer , crystallography , nanotechnology , copolymer , organic chemistry , chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , neuroscience , engineering , biology
Composites of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and molybdenum sulfur iodine (MoSI) nanowires were prepared using twin‐screw extrusion. Extensive microscopic examination of the composites revealed the nanowires were well dispersed in the PCL matrix, although bundles of Mo 6 S 3 I 6 ropes were evident at higher loadings. Secondary electron imaging (SEI) showed the nanowires had formed an extensive network throughout the PCL matrix, resulting in increased electrical conductivity of PCL, by eight orders of magnitude, and an electrical percolation threshold of 6.5 × 10 −3 vol%. Thermal analysis (DSC), WAXD, and hot stage polarized optical microscopy (HSPOM) experiments revealed Mo 6 S 3 I 6 addition altered PCL crystallization kinetics, nucleation density, and crystalline content. A greater number of smaller spherulites were formed via heterogeneous nucleation. The onset of thermal decomposition (TGA) of PCL decreased by 70°C, a consequence of the thermal degradation of Mo 6 S 3 I 6 to MoO 3 , which in turn accelerates the formation of volatile gases during the first stage of PCL decomposition. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.