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Thermal decomposition kinetics of multiwalled carbon nanotube/polypropylene nanocomposites

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Abstract

The multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites with different MWCNT contents were prepared by a melt-mixing method, and their thermal decomposition kinetics has been studied. As the properties of MWCNT/PP nanocomposites fundamentally depend on the dispersion state of MWCNTs in the PP matrix, rheological measurement and field emission electron microscopy were used to examine the dispersion state of MWCNTs in the PP matrix. The effect of MWCNTs on the thermal stability of PP in MWCNT/PP nanocomposites was studied at different heating rates by means of thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. Based on the TG results, the Ozawa’s method was used for the determination of the activation energies required in the thermal decomposition of MWCNT/PP nanocomposites. The Kissinger’s method was also applied to verify the results. Both methods proved that the thermal stability of PP could be significantly improved in the presence of MWCNTs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, 71 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 638075, Singapore

    H. K. F. Cheng

  2. School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore

    M. F. Chong, E. Liu, K. Zhou & L. Li

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  1. H. K. F. Cheng
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  2. M. F. Chong
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  3. E. Liu
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  4. K. Zhou
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  5. L. Li
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Correspondence to L. Li.

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Cheng, H.K.F., Chong, M.F., Liu, E. et al. Thermal decomposition kinetics of multiwalled carbon nanotube/polypropylene nanocomposites. J Therm Anal Calorim 117, 63–71 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-014-3668-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-014-3668-8

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