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The effects of MWCNT length on the mechanical, crystallization and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of PP/MWCNT composites

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Abstract

The length of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) has an important influence on the properties of polymer/MWCNT composites. This study aims to examine the influence of the length of MWCNT on the mechanical properties, distribution, melting and crystallization behavior, and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of PP/MWCNT composites. The test results show that MWCNT of a short length contribute to better mechanical properties and have a better dispersion in the matrix. MWCNT also serve as a nucleating agent for PP, thereby increasing the crystallization temperature (Tc). In particular, short MWCNT provide PP/MWCNT composites with a greater degree of cyrstallinity. The conjunction of 8 wt% long MWCNT in PP/MWCNT composites results in an optimal electrical resistivity of 65.02 Ω-cm, and an average EMI SE of −29.47 dB. The polymer/MWCNT composites have properties that can be adjusted by using different lengths of MWCNT, which is advantageous for application in diverse products.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would especially like to thank the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan, for financially supporting this research under Contract MOST 104-2622-E-166-002-CC2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fiber and Composite Materials, Feng Chia University, Taichung City, 40724, Taiwan

    Zheng-Ian Lin & Chien-Lin Huang

  2. Graduate Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering, Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taichung City, 40601, Taiwan

    Ching-Wen Lou

  3. Minjiang University, Fuzhou, 350108, China

    Ching-Wen Lou & Jia-Horng Lin

  4. Department of Materials and Textiles, Oriental Institute of Technology, New Taipei City, 22061, Taiwan

    Yi-Jun Pan

  5. Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising, Shih Chien University Kaohsiung Campus, Kaohsiung City, 84550, Taiwan

    Chien-Teng Hsieh

  6. Department of Aerospace and Systems Engineering, Feng Chia University, Taichung City, 40724, Taiwan

    Chen-Hung Huang

  7. Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, China Medical University, Taichung City, 40402, Taiwan

    Yueh-Sheng Chen

  8. Laboratory of Fiber Application and Manufacturing, Department of Fiber and Composite Materials, Feng Chia University, Taichung City, 40724, Taiwan

    Jia-Horng Lin

  9. Innovation Platform of Intelligent and Energy-Saving Textiles, School of Textiles, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, 300387, China

    Jia-Horng Lin

  10. School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung City, 40402, Taiwan

    Jia-Horng Lin

  11. Department of Fashion Design, Asia University, Taichung City, 41354, Taiwan

    Jia-Horng Lin

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  1. Zheng-Ian Lin
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Correspondence to Jia-Horng Lin.

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Lin, ZI., Lou, CW., Pan, YJ. et al. The effects of MWCNT length on the mechanical, crystallization and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of PP/MWCNT composites. J Polym Res 24, 32 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-016-1121-3

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