John Conley Advisor: Dr. Ajay Malshe 7/20/09

1. Integration and Transient Shear-Thickening Effects of Carbon Nanotubes and Carbide Nanoparticles in a Polymer Matrix John Conley Advisor: Dr. Ajay Malshe 7/20/09

2. Background Information • Carbon Nanotubes • Discovery by Iijima in 1991 • Unique properties due to size and structure • Conductive, strong, lightweight, etc. • SW, DW, and MW varieties • SW better for nanocomposites • Polymer • Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene

3. Goals • Improve nanotube/particle integration and loading to improve mechanical properties (strength, hardness, etc.) • Characterize shear-thickening effect of nanotubes/particles in polymer matrix • Combine loaded polymer with other materials to create prototype complex material

4. First Phase: Synthesis Source: Dr. Ajay Malshe

5. + + CNTs = . . .

6. Results

7. Second Phase: Testing/Characterization • Testing • Transmission Electron Microscopy, for surface morphology. • Nanoindentation, for hardness. • Nanoindentation, for storage modulus. • Tensile testing, for tensile strength. • Tensile testing, for Young’s modulus. • Izod or Charpy testing, for impact hardness • Characterization • Analyze mechanical properties during dynamic and static loading to determine characteristics of shear-thickening effects

8. Results • Nanoindentation

9. Future Work

10. New Process Idea • Skip complicated wet phases and associated processes • Filtration, drying, etc. • Utilize powdered materials and vibrator plate to skip straight to hot press • Many benefits • Easier, cheaper, safer, faster, simpler, unique

11. Proposed Method: Dual Powder Sintering

12. Plans • Continue phases I and II • Manufacture multiple samples of nanocomposite • CNT/UHMWPE composite with new, purer UHMWPE phase from TiconaUSA • Begin testing of dual powder sintering synthesis method for carbide nanocomposite • Complete parameter matrix • Analyze with more advanced testing equipment like TEM or SEM • Validate results with macroscale testing

13. Third Phase: Molecular Dynamics • Empirical models for fiber in composite matrix • Equivalent-continuum modeling method • Traditional fiber composite models do not apply • Must take into account large interfacial area relative to polymer matrix volume • Must take into account secondary forces such as VdW forces • Nanocomposite models • Polymer matrix/CNT • Polymer matrix/CNT interfacial modeling • Van der Waals modeling • σ-ε behavior • Analyzed by comparing to rule of mixtures

14. Acknowledgements • Steven Wehmeyer • Supply of purified CNTs • Ranjit John • Supply of CNTs, technical advising • DmytroDemydov • Primary advising • Jason Bailey, Mohammed Chowdhury, ParashKalita, AnoopSamant, Corey Thompson, Wenyang Zhang • Technical advising and assistance • Joshua Wilson • Administrative assistance • NanoMech • Equipment loan

15. References • R. Andrews, A. Berkovich, J.C. Hower, D. Jacques, & T. Rantell. “Fabrication of Carbon Multi-wall Nanotube/Polyer Composites by Shear Mixing.” University of Kentucky, Center for Applied Energy Research. • W.C. Oliver and G.M. Pharr. Measurement of hardness and elastic modulus by instrumented indentation: Advances in understanding and refinements to methodology. J. Mater. Res. 19 (2004), 3. • Wetzel, Eric D. et al. "Protective Fabrics Utilizing Shear Thickening Fluids." 2004. • Yuezhen Bin, MayunaKitanaka, Dan Zhu, and Masaru Matsuo. Department of Textile and Apparel Science, Faculty of Human Life and Environment, Nara Women’s University, Nara 630-8263, Japan.

16. Your comments, questions, and advice are appreciated.