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At least 37 records · Page 2

Highly Conductive Multifunctional Graphene Polycarbonate Nanocomposites

Graphene nanosheet bisphenol A polycarbonate nanocomposites (0.027 2.2 vol %) prepared by both emulsion mixing and solution blending methods, followed by compression molding at 287 C, exhibited dc electrical percolation threshold of approx.0.14 and approx.0.38 vol %, respectively. The conductivities of 2.2 vol % graphene nanocomposites were 0.512 and 0.226 S/cm for emulsion and solution mixing. The 1.1 and 2.2 vol % graphene nanocomposites exhibited frequency-independent behavior. Inherent conductivity, extremely high aspect ratio, and nanostructure directed assembly of the graphene using PC nanospheres are the main factors for excellent electrical properties of the nanocomposites. Dynamic tensile moduli of nanocomposites increased with increasing graphene in the nanocomposite. The glass transition temperatures were decreased with increasing graphene for the emulsion series. High-resolution electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) showed isolated graphene with no connectivity path for insulating nanocomposites and connected nanoparticles for the conductive nanocomposites. A stacked disk model was used to obtain the average particle radius, average number of graphene layers per stack, and stack spacing by simulation of the experimental SANS data. Morphology studies indicated the presence of well-dispersed graphene and small graphene stacking with infusion of polycarbonate within the stacks.

Yoonessi, Mitra↗

Controlling Nanoscale Pore Size and Wall Composition in Polycarbonate Membranes via Atomic Layer Deposition and Sequential Infiltration Synthesis: Implications for High Water Permeance

Polymer membranes have a wide variety of applications, ranging from water treatment to energy storage. Many of these applications require precise control over the membrane porosity and surface chemistry. In this study, we explore the modification of isoporous polycarbonate (PC) track-etched membranes (PCTEs) by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS) to tune the pore size and the pore wall surface chemistry. We first performed a detailed study of Al 2 O 3 ALD and SIS in PCTE using a variety of in situ and ex situ measurements. We discovered that short precursor exposure times are critical to achieve conformal Al 2 O 3 ALD in the PCTE nanopores, while longer precursor exposure times resulted in Al 2 O 3 SIS within the bulk of the PC leaving the membranes brittle. Next, we tuned the PCTE pore size via Al 2 O 3 ALD and studied its effect on the water contact angle and the water permeance. Here, we found that the membranes became more hydrophilic, and the permeance decreased with increasing ALD Al 2 O 3 cycles. Finally, we studied the effect of hydrophilic (SnO 2 )/hydrophobic (In 2 O 3 ) ALD metal oxide coatings on membrane properties. We found that the most hydrophilic SnO 2 showed the highest water flux and the least hydrophilic In 2 O 3 showed the lowest water flux through the PCTE membranes. Our results demonstrate that ALD is an effective method to tune the surface and transport properties of PCTE membranes, but care must be exercised to avoid SIS and bulk modification of the polymer.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Textile-Grade Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polycarbonate Composites: Effect of Epoxy Sizing

In this work, epoxy-sized textile-grade polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon fiber (TCF) with 450 K filaments (CFTF, ORNL) was reinforced in the polycarbonate (PC) matrix using a compression molding technique. The epoxy sizing effect on the surface, thermal, and mechanical properties of TCF–PC was investigated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results of the TCF–PC composite show the absence of an oxirane group (epoxy-sized TCF), which suggests a covalent bond formation between the oxirane ring and carbonyl groups from TCF and PC. Dynamic mechanical analysis results confirm a strong immobilized interface (b > 1) present between TCF and PC. The tensile, flexure, compression, and interlaminar shear strength of TCF–PC composites were 323 ± 53, 371 ± 31, 397 ± 87, and 36 ± 3 MPa, correspondingly. The fracture analysis through scanning electron microscopy shows good wettability between TCF and the PC matrix which validates the results obtained from surface and thermal characterization.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Fused Filament Fabrication of Polycarbonate in a Reactive Atmosphere

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) has become extremely useful in various industries, particularly when complex parts are needed in low volumes. However, the material properties available in FFF polymers are limited in scope. The properties of a FFF part can be changed in multiple ways. This study explores changing the bulk properties of a part by affecting each layer as it prints. Prior work has demonstrated the feasibility of altering polymer properties by layerwise exposure to a liquid chemical, but properties have never been modified in situ using a reactive gas. Here, FFF is done in the presence of a reactive gas. Specifically, the part is printed with polycarbonate in a reactive atmosphere of ozone and ultra-violet light. It was found that as each layer is exposed to a reactive gas, the bulk properties of the part change. A visual chemical change was seen, as well as confirmation of the reaction through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy attenuated total reflectance. The change in mechanical properties was measured through Dynamic Mechanical Analysis shear tests, showing a bulk change can be efficiently produced through FFF in a reactive atmosphere.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Thermal properties of dielectric solids below 4 K. I - Polycarbonate

Polymers and other dielectric materials are frequently used for many purposes in the construction of cryogenic apparatus. Yet very few values of the thermal properties of these materials below 4 K have been reported. It is, however, known that one can not use the Debye theory to extrapolate to lower temperatures the measurements of the specific heat capacity above 1 K. The thermal conductivity also follows no theoretically predictable temperature dependence. As a by-product of our studies of the thermal properties of amorphous and partly crystalline materials below 4 K, we wish to report values for the thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, and velocity of sound below 4 K in materials useful for the construction of cryogenic apparatus. In this article we will describe our measurement techniques and report values for polycarbonate (Lexan). In subsequent notes we will give values for other materials of interest.

Cieloszyk, G. S.↗

Plasma polymerized coating for polycarbonate - Single layer, abrasion resistant, and antireflection

Plasma polymerized vinyltrimethoxy silane films were deposited on transparent polycarbonate substrates. The adherent, clear films protected the substrates from abrasion and also served as antireflection coatings. Posttreatment of the vinyltrimethoxy silane films in an oxygen glow discharge further improved the abrasion resistance. ESCA (electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis) and IR transmission spectra of some films were recorded, and an elemental analysis of the films was obtained.

Wydeven, T.↗

Improved metalized polycarbonate capacitor

Modified metallized polycarbonate-film capacitor withstands 500 thermal cycles between 55 and 125 C replacing conventional devices which typically withstand 10 such cycles.

Kellerman, H. J.↗

Effect of pyrolysis temperature and air flow on toxicity of gases from a polycarbonate polymer

A polycarbonate polymer was evaluated for toxicity of pyrolysis gases generated at various temperatures without forced air flow and with 1 L/min air flow, using the toxicity screening test method developed at the University of San Francisco. Time to various animal responses decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperature over the range from 500 C to 800 C. There appeared to be no significant toxic effects at 400 C and lower temperatures.

Hilado, C. J.↗

Solid state photochemistry of polycarbonates

The quantum yield of photoFries rearrangement in a polycarbonate film has been analyzed as a function of temperature and humidity on the basis of previously reported (Koyler and Mann, 1977) experimental data. Results indicate that in the homogeneous amorphous phase, photoFries rearrangement is a concerted process proceeding either from the pi star reversed arrow n singlet, in which case it must be subject to considerable self quenching, or from a triplet, presumably the first triplet since the lifetime of higher triplets is expected to be very short in the solid phase. If the parent excited state is the first triplet, chain scission is possibly an independent process, probably occurring from the pi star reversed arrow n singlet. Evidence of chain scission on photodegradation in the solid state includes loss of C-O and C-C bond intensities revealed in the Fourier transform infrared spectra, gel permeation chromotography elution profiles of degraded film samples dissolved in CHCl3, and a decrease in tensile strength and T sub g as photodegradation proceeds. Chain scission is apparently inhibited as photoFries products accumulate.

Gupta, A.↗

Reproducibility of polycarbonate reference material in toxicity evaluation

A specific lot of bisphenol A polycarbonate has been used for almost four years as the reference material for the NASA-USF-PSC toxicity screening test method. The reproducibility of the test results over this period of time indicate that certain plastics may be more suitable reference materials than the more traditional cellulosic materials.

Hilado, C. J.↗

Nonlinear viscoelastic characterization of polycarbonate

Uniaxial tensile creep and recovery data from polycarbonate at six temperatures and six stress levels are analyzed for nonlinear viscoelastic constitutive modeling. A theory to account for combined effects of two or more accelerating factors is presented.

Caplan, E. S.↗

Review of the NASA Voyager spacecraft polycarbonate capacitor failure incident

The premission failure of a Voyager spacecraft capacitor has prompted an investigation into the use of polycarbonate capacitors in high impedance circuits, during which capacitor failures were induced by thermal cycling together with extended periods at high temperature. Measurement of leakage path temperature coefficients indicates that there are two distinct leakage types whose mechanisms are complicated by movement within the capacitor during temperature changes. A novel system for pulse detection during capacitor burn-in and ramp testing has proven to be beneficial.

Ott, F. M.↗

Cumulative creep damage for polycarbonate and polysulfone

The literature for creep to failure cumulative damage laws are reviewed. Creep to failure tests performed on polycarbonate and polysulfone under single and two step loadings are discussed. A cumulative damage law or modified time fraction rule is developed using a power law for transient creep response as the starting point. Experimental results are approximated well by the new rule. Damage and failure mechanisms associated with the two materials are suggested.

Zhang, M.↗