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Thermodynamic Approach to Enhanced Dispersion and Physical Properties in a Carbon Nanotube/Polypeptide NanocompositeA high molecular weight synthetic polypeptide has been designed which exhibits favorable interactions with single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The enthalpic and entropic penalties of mixing between these two molecules are reduced due to the polypeptide's aromatic sidechains and helical secondary structure, respectively. These enhanced interactions result in a well dispersed SWCNT/Poly (L-Leucine-ran-L-Phenylalanine) nanocomposite with enhanced mechanical and electrical properties using only shear mixing and sonication. At 0.5 wt% loading of SWCNT filler, the nanocomposite exhibits simultaneous increases in the Young's modulus, failure strain, and toughness of 8%, 120%, and 144%, respectively. At one kHz, the same nanotube loading level also enhances the dielectric constant from 2.95 to 22.81, while increasing the conductivity by four orders of magnitude.
Document ID
20090017801
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
External Source(s)
doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2009.02.016
Authors
Lovell, Conrad S. (Virginia Univ. Charlottesville, VA, United States)
Wise, Kristopher E. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Kim, Jae-Woo (National Inst. of Aerospace Hampton, VA, United States)
Lillehei, Peter T. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Harrison, Joycelyn S. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Park, Cheol (National Inst. of Aerospace Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
April 21, 2009
Publication Information
Publication: Polymer
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
Volume: 50
Issue: 8
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Report/Patent Number
LF99-7698
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 698671.01.07.04
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC1-02037
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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