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Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of carbon nanotubes containing segmented polyurethane elastomer
Author(s) -
Gupta Y.N.,
Bhave T.,
Chakraborty A.,
Pandey A.K.,
Sharma R.B.,
Setua D.K.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.24358
Subject(s) - materials science , crystallization , differential scanning calorimetry , elastomer , nanocomposite , carbon nanotube , activation energy , composite material , polyurethane , glass transition , scanning electron microscope , kinetics , enthalpy , chemical engineering , polymer , thermodynamics , chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Nanocomposites of the segmented polyurethane (SPU) elastomer with different concentrations of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been prepared. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to visualize the surface morphology and distribution of the nanotubes inside the matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry has been utilized to investigate the effects of MWCNTs on the crystallization characteristics of the SPU by collecting data at four cooling rates namely 5, 10, 15, and 20°C/min in the temperature range between 200°C to ambient. The results reveal that MWCNTs act as effective nucleating agent for crystallization of the hard segment of SPU and advance the onset and peak temperatures of crystallization by 38 and 23°C, respectively. The associated enthalpy and extent of crystallization are also increased by 34%. Different crystallization kinetic parameters have been calculated using both modified Avrami and combined Ozawa‐Avrami models to suggest a three dimensional growth of crystallization of SPU and its nanocomposites. The activation energy has been calculated using Kissinger method, which indicates that activation energy decreases with increasing concentration of MWCNTs. The calorimetric results have further been correlated with thermomechanical analysis and glass transition temperature of the nanocomposites corresponding to soft segment is found to increase by 20°C. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:1248–1258, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers