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Novel epoxy systems and nanoporous networks with functionalized carbon nanotubes
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/1860/3648
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| Title: | Novel epoxy systems and nanoporous networks with functionalized carbon nanotubes |
| Authors: | Sullivan Malervy, Mary Elizabeth |
| Keywords: | Chemical engineering
Nanotubes
Epoxy compounds |
| Issue Date: | 29-Nov-2011 |
| Abstract: | In advanced environmental sensor systems, sensing is achieved by assessing material property changes upon sorption of contaminants. Performance of these
sensors may be improved by replacing thin films of these materials with a high surface area system. The focus of this work was to contribute to the design of advanced environmental sensors by incorporating carbon nanotubes into a nanoporous polymer network. Novel nanocomposites were developed in which amine-functionalized multiwall (MWNT) and double-wall nanotubes (DWNT) were preferentially incorporated into the polymer phase of a nanoporous epoxy system. This resulted in self-oriented nanotube networks with ultra-low percolation thresholds. Additionally, these nanocomposites possess polymer morphological features with characteristic dimensions less than 100 nm, providing ultra-high specific surface area that is expected to respond rapidly to environmental exposure via sorption. The sensing capabilities of these materials were evaluated by characterizing their transient electrical conductivity when exposed to vaporous tertrahydrofuran (THF) environment. Exposure resulted in a rapid drop in conductivity that correlates with weight gain results of sorption experiments. Hence, the ability to assess environmental changes via conductivity measurements as well as improved response time attributed to a nanoporous structure were demonstrated. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/1860/3648 |
| Appears in Collections: | Drexel Theses and Dissertations
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