Papers by Author: Rowan Truss

Abstract: Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and PVDF/Organo-modified layered silicates (OMLSs) nano-composites were prepared by phase inversion technique. Maleic anhydride grafted PVDF (PVDF-MAH), were used to fine tune the interface. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were used to characterize the nanocomposites. Elastic modulus and creep resistance of the PVDF nanocomposites were evaluated according to ASTM D-638. The results showed that both CNTs and OMLSs were good candidates to reinforce the PVDF and the addition of PVDF-MAH enhanced the interface between nanoparticles and PVDF, leading to further increase of mechanical property.