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Decomposition and particle release of a carbon nanotube/epoxy nanocomposite at elevated temperatures

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Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as fillers in nanocomposites have attracted significant attention, and one of the applications is to use the CNTs as flame retardants. For such nanocomposites, possible release of CNTs at elevated temperatures after decomposition of the polymer matrix poses potential health threats. We investigated the airborne particle release from a decomposing multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/epoxy nanocomposite in order to measure a possible release of MWCNTs. An experimental set-up was established that allows decomposing the samples in a furnace by exposure to increasing temperatures at a constant heating rate and under ambient air or nitrogen atmosphere. The particle analysis was performed by aerosol measurement devices and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of collected particles. Further, by the application of a thermal denuder, it was also possible to measure non-volatile particles only. Characterization of the tested samples and the decomposition kinetics were determined by the usage of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The particle release of different samples was investigated, of a neat epoxy, nanocomposites with 0.1 and 1 wt% MWCNTs, and nanocomposites with functionalized MWCNTs. The results showed that the added MWCNTs had little effect on the decomposition kinetics of the investigated samples, but the weight of the remaining residues after decomposition was influenced significantly. The measurements with decomposition in different atmospheres showed a release of a higher number of particles at temperatures below 300 °C when air was used. Analysis of collected particles by TEM revealed that no detectable amount of MWCNTs was released, but micrometer-sized fibrous particles were collected.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation (NFP 64), “Evaluation platform for safety and environment risks of carbon nanotube reinforced nanocomposites,” 406440_131286.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Functional Polymers, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland

    Lukas Schlagenhauf & Frank Nüesch

  2. Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland

    Lukas Schlagenhauf, Yu-Ying Kuo, Yeon Kyoung Bahk & Jing Wang

  3. Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Stefano-Franscini-Platz 3, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland

    Lukas Schlagenhauf, Yu-Ying Kuo, Yeon Kyoung Bahk & Jing Wang

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  1. Lukas Schlagenhauf
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  2. Yu-Ying Kuo
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  4. Frank Nüesch
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  5. Jing Wang
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Correspondence to Jing Wang.

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Schlagenhauf, L., Kuo, YY., Bahk, Y.K. et al. Decomposition and particle release of a carbon nanotube/epoxy nanocomposite at elevated temperatures. J Nanopart Res 17, 440 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-015-3245-5

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