pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: Nanocomposite Materials & Processing
Oral Presentation
 
 

Study of ultrasound carbon nanotubes migration in polymers

Tuinea-Bobe Cristina Luminita (1)*, Whiteside Ben R (1), Coates Phil D (1), Thompson Glen (1), Howell Ken (1)

(1) University of Bradford - West Yorkshire - UnitedKingdom

Power ultrasound in the 20–100 kHz range is used largely for plastics welding and chemistry modification. The chemical change via ultrasound is not directly connected with the molecules, as typical ultrasound wavelength is too long (in the millimeter range) compared to the molecules. During sonication at high intensities, the sound waves that propagate into the material result in alternating high-pressure (compression) and low-pressure (rarefaction) cycles, with rates depending on the frequency. During the low-pressure cycle, high-intensity ultrasonic waves create small vacuum bubbles or voids in the material. When the bubbles attain a volume at which they can no longer absorb energy, they collapse violently during a high-pressure cycle. This phenomenon is called cavitation. During the implosion very high temperatures (approx. 5,000K) and pressures (approx. 2,000atm) are reached locally. The implosion of the cavitation bubble also results in jets of up to 280m/s velocity. The resulting shear forces break the material matrix mechanically and improve material transfer. Ultrasound can have either destructive or constructive effects to materials depending on the sonication parameters employed. Learning from cell biology, generally, ultrasound can lead to a permeabilization of materials. Using this property, a study was carried out to observe migration of carbon nanotubes in polymers. The mechanical activity of the ultrasound supports the diffusion of the carbon nanotubes into the polymer. As ultrasound breaks the polymer matrix mechanically by the cavitation shear forces, it facilitates the transfer of the carbon nanotubes from the sonotrode contact area to the opposite side. As result we obtained samples with a conductive area and an insulated area that can be used successfully in flexible electronics.