Structure-Property Relationship of Polyetherimide Fibers Filled with Carbon Nanoparticles

Elena M Ivan'kova; Gleb V Vaganov; Elena N Popova; Vladimir Yu Elokhovskiy; Igor A Kasatkin

doi:10.1021/acsomega.9b04102

Structure-Property Relationship of Polyetherimide Fibers Filled with Carbon Nanoparticles

ACS Omega. 2020 May 5;5(19):10680-10686. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.9b04102. eCollection 2020 May 19.

Authors

Elena M Ivan'kova¹, Gleb V Vaganov¹, Elena N Popova¹, Vladimir Yu Elokhovskiy¹, Igor A Kasatkin²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Macromolecular Compounds of Russian Academy of Sciences, V.O., Bol'shoy pr. 31, St. Petersburg 199004, Russia.
² Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia.

Abstract

Nanocomposite fibers based on heat-resistant amorphous polyetherimide (PEI) were prepared by twin screw melt micro-extrusion. Vapor-grown carbon nanofibers (VGCFs) and single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were used as fillers which helped to achieve enhanced mechanical properties. The structure and mechanical properties of such nanocomposite fibers were studied. Electron microscopy and melt rheology data revealed a uniform distribution of the nanofillers throughout the volume of the fibers. Wide-angle X-ray scattering showed that the orientational drawing of the nanocomposite fibers led to an improved orientation of the filler particles along the fiber axis. VGCFs or SWCNTs increased the tensile strength and modulus (by ∼275 MPa and ∼5 GPa, respectively) in oriented nanocomposite fibers and decreased deformation at break. SWCNTs were found to be more effective reinforcers than VGCFs.