N.U. Ahamad, H. Rahman
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh,
Bangladesh
Keywords: carbon nanotube, polystyrene films, iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles, polymer nanocomposites, onset temperature, thermal stability, fire-retardant textiles
Summary:
The research examines how the addition of surface-modified multiwall carbon nanotubes (m-MWCNTs) affects the thermal stability of polystyrene (PS) polymer. Iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles and silicon (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, APTMS) were added to MWCNTs for functionalization. For surface functionalization, MWCNTs were subjected to oxidation to create oxygenated groups (O-CNTs), and the FT-IR and Raman spectral analysis revealed the successful modification. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were used to determine the nanotubes' morphology both before and after oxidation, and Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) technique was used for further investigation. Various m-MWCNT samples were mixed into PS at low concentration (0.1%) to prepare composite films which then employed to investigate thermal properties in inert atmosphere by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) maintaining the onset temperature, T5%. FT-IR spectra and EDS verified the chemical attachment of Si with O-CNTs, and SEM images were used to assess the morphology. Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were found to be well dispersed within PS film, confirmed by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image. The TGA results show the addition of Silicon improves the thermal stability by 21⁰C. Further addition of Fe3O4 to Si-O-CNT improved thermal stability by 24⁰C. The outcome of this study will be employed to develop environmentally benign fire-retardant textiles with improved thermal stability and flammability.