Papers by Author: Shirley Zhiqi Shen

Abstract: A series of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (i.e. sorbic acid, octanoic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid and oleic acid) were successfully intercalated into Mg-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs) using a modified reconstruction method, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The fatty acid intercalated LDHs thus prepared exhibit much better well-defined hexagonal platelet structure than samples prepared by the conventional reconstruction method.

Abstract: This paper compared the effect of aspect ratios and dispersions of carbon nanotubes (CNT) made in CSIRO, with a broad range of aspect ratios with similar dimensions in diameter, on the electric conductivity, rheology and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis of multi-wall nanotubes (MWNT)/epoxy nanocomposites. A medium aspect ratio seems to be the most effective in conductive network formation in epoxy matrix and also provide best storage modulus of CNT/epoxy nanocomposites under providing processing conditions.

Abstract: The conductivity and mechanical properties of carbon black (CB) filled polyethylene (PE) composites depend on the conductive filler, molecular structure of polymer matrix, and the processing methods which are applied. CB filled high density polyethylene without and with glass fibre (GF) composites have been manufactured using single and twin screws extruder. The composite made from the single screw extruder showed a much higher conductivity than that made from twin screws extruder for CB/PE composites with and without glass fibre. The conductive paths are formed at very low CB content (1wt% CB for GF/CB/PE) when using single screw extruder to manufacture. The microstructure of these composites were analysed using SEM.

Abstract: This paper presents the effects of incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNT) into nylon 6 on thermal properties and fire performance of woven glass reinforced CNT/nylon 6 nanocomposite laminates. Incorporation of CNT in nylon 6 improved the thermal stabilities, thermal conductivity and fire performance of laminates without compromising their mechanical properties. The thermal conductivity of laminates with 2 wt% CNT increased up to 42% compared to that without CNT. The ignition time and peak HRR time was delayed approx. 31% and 118%, respectively, in laminates with 4 wt% CNT in nylon 6 over that without CNT.