Compaction of polymer powders and polymer-based nanocomposites by uniaxial high-velocity cold compaction (HVC), by high-energy ball milling (HEBM) and using a novel technique, relaxation assists, was investigated with a focus on the process parameters, the compactibility characteristics, surface morphology and friction. The basic phenomena associated with HVC are explained and the general energy principle is introduced to explain the pull-out phenomenon, springback gradient, delay time, relative time of the pressure wave, and stick-slip phenomenon during the compaction process. Experimental results for different compaction profiles, different particle size distributions and different milling system for polymer-based nanocomposite are presented, showing the effect of varying the process parameters on the compacted material; the compactibility in the compacted bed, the uniformity of the compacted surface, the pull-out phenomenon, the springback gradient, the stick-slip phenomenon and the homogeneity of the dispersions of nanoparticles in the polymer powders in the solid state. It was found that the high-velocity compaction process is an interruption process and that the opposite velocity and pressure loss during the compaction process have a major influence on the quality of the compacted material. The relaxation assist device is a novel technique that has been successfully developed to improve the compaction process. The relaxation assists are parts of the piston and they are regarded as projectile supports. They are constructed of the same material as the piston, and the diameters are the same but the lengths are different. The relaxation assist device leads to an improvement in the compaction of powders, polymer powders and polymer-based nanocomposites by giving a more homogeneous opposite velocity and a better locking of the powder bed in the compacted form during the compaction process with less change in dimensions in the case of both homogeneous and heterogeneous materials. If the movement of the particles is restricted the powder bed attains a higher density and the total elastic springback is minimized. In addition, there is a more homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles in the case of a heterogeneous material. A much better transfer of the pressure through the powder bed and a smaller loss of pressure lead to a more homogenous stick-slip of the particles and a higher sliding coefficient due to the overall friction during the compaction process. / QC 20100630

An investigation was conducted towards the development and optimization of low electrical resistivity carbon nanotube (CNT) and thermoplastic composites as potential materials for future wire and cable applications in aerospace and energy exploration. Fundamental properties of the polymer, medium density polyethylene (MDPE), such as crystallinity were studied and improved for composite use. A parallel effort was undertaken on a broad selection of CNT, including single wall, double wall and multi wall carbon nanotubes, and included research of material aspects relevant to composite application and low resistivity such as purity, diameter and chirality. With an emphasis on scalability, manufacturing and purification methods were developed, and a solvent-based composite fabrication method was optimized. CNT MDPE composites were characterized via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Raman spectroscopy, and multiple routes of electron microscopy. Techniques including annealing and pressure treatments were used to further improve the composites' resulting electrical performance. Enhancement of conductivity was explored via exposure to a focused microwave beam. A novel doping method was developed using antimony pentafluoride (SbF 5 ) to reduce the resistivity of the bulk CNT. Flexible composites, malleable under heat and pressure, were produced with exceptional electrical resistivities reaching as low as 2*10 -6 Ω·m (5*10 5 S/m). A unique gas sensor application utilizing the unique electrical resistivities of the produced CNT-MDPE composites was developed. The materials proved suitable as a low weight and low energy sensing material for dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), a nerve gas simulant.

Le rejet de métaux lourds dans l'environnement pose des problèmes majeurs pour les écosystèmes et la santé humaine. Parmi les solutions proposées, les techniques d'adsorption semblent particulièrement prometteuses. Ce travail de thèse visait à préparer de nouveaux matériaux à base d'hydroxyapatite afin d'améliorer les propriétés d'immobilisation de métaux lourds (Cr, Pb, Zn). Deux approches ont été explorées. La première repose sur la formation d'hydroxyapatite modifiée par les acides carboxyliques qui présentent une affinité pour le calcium de la phase minérale et pour les ions métalliques. Cette approche permet d'obtenir des matériaux hydrides organo-minéraux poreux. Sur la base des caractérisations effectuées, en particulier par DRX, RMN à l'état solide, porosimétrie d'azote et microscopie électronique, l'effet de l'incorporation des acides carboxyliques dans la structure et la chimie de surface des matériaux obtenus a été discuté. Cette discussion constitue la base de l'étude des propriétés d'adsorption des ions Pb2+ et Zn2+. La deuxième approche repose sur l'élaboration de nanocomposites associant l'hydroxyapatite et la zircone. Ce travail décrit une nouvelle voie de synthèse sol-gel de ces matériaux, conduisant l'association des deux phases permet au matériau composite de présenter une bonne affinité pour le Cr(III) et le Cr(VI).

In recent years, the United States Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have been charged with the task of scanning every cargo container crossing domestic borders for illicit radioactive material. This is accomplished by using gamma-ray detection systems capable of discriminating between non-threatening radioisotopes, such as Cs-137, which is often used in nuclear medicine, and fissile material, such as U-238, that can be used to make nuclear weapons or "dirty" bombs. Scintillation detector systems, specifically thallium-doped sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) single crystals, are by far the most popular choice for this purpose because they are inexpensive relative to other types of detectors, but are still able to identify isotopes with reasonable accuracy. However, increased demand for these systems has served as a catalyst for the research and development of new scintillator materials with potential to surpass NaI(Tl). The focus of a majority of recent scintillator materials research has centered on sintered transparent ceramics, phosphor-doped organic matrices, and the development of novel single crystal compositions. Some of the most promising new materials are glass-ceramic nanocomposites. By precipitating a dense array of nano-scale scintillating crystals rather than growing a single monolith, novel compositions such as LaBr₃(Ce) may be fabricated to useful sizes, and their potential to supersede the energy resolution of NaI(Tl) can be fully explored. Also, because glass-ceramic synthesis begins by casting a homogeneous glass melt, a broad range of geometries beyond the ubiquitous cylinder can be fabricated and characterized. Finally, the glass matrix ensures environmental isolation of the hygroscopic scintillating crystals, and so glass-ceramic scintillators show potential to serve as viable detectors in alpha- and neutron-spectroscopy in addition to gamma-rays. However, for the improvements promised by glass-ceramics to become reality, several material properties must be considered. These include the degree of control over precipitated crystallite size, the solubility limit of the glass matrix with respect to the scintillating compounds, the variation in maximum achievable light yield with composition, and the peak wavelength of emitted photons. Studies will focus on three base glass systems, sodium-aluminosilicate (NAS), sodium-borosilicate (NBS), and alumino-borosilicate (ABS), into which a cerium-doped gadolinium bromide (GdBr₃(Ce)) scintillating phase will be incorporated. Scintillator volumes of 50 cubic centimeters or greater will be fabricated to facilitate comparison with NaI(Tl) crystals currently available.

This study focuses on the processing, structure and properties of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/ carbon nanotube (CNT) composite carbon fibers. Small diameter PAN/CNT based carbon fibers have been processed using sheath-core and islands-in-a-sea (INS) fiber spinning technology. These methods resulted in carbon fibers with diameters of ~3.5 μm and ~1 μm (for sheath-core and INS respectively). Poly (methyl methacrylate) has been used as the sheath or the sea component, which has been removed prior to carbonization. These fibers have been stabilized and carbonized using a batch process. The effect of stabilization has been characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A non-isothermal extent of cyclization (Mcyc) from the DSC kinetics study was developed in order to obtain an unbiased method for determining the optimal stabilization condition. The results of Mcyc were found to be in good agreement with the experimental FTIR and WAXD observations. The carbon fiber fracture surfaces have been examined using SEM. Various test parameters that affect the tensile properties of the precursor fiber (both PAN and PAN/CNT), as well as carbon fiber have been studied. In an attempt to validate single filament tests, fiber tow testing has also been done using standard test methods. Batch processed carbon fibers obtained via sheath-core geometry exhibited tensile strengths as high as 6.5 GPa, while fibers processed by islands-in-a-sea geometry exhibited strength values as high as 7.7 GPa.

Because the gel-spinning process has the potential to yield fibers of high strength and high modulus, this technique was employed to process continuous filaments of PVA/CNT, having CNTs at ¡Ü1 weight percent of polymer. A gel aging technique was employed with the goal of increasing the draw ratio for composite fibers and for promoting the development of crystalline PVA. Since residual solvent can lower the mechanical properties of drawn fibers, solvent phases of water and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) within the drawn fibers were also characterized. As embedded SWNTs were uniaxially aligned along the drawn fiber axis, they were found to induce preferential alignment in the PVA side groups as well as for the residual solvent. This was attributed to charge transfer between SWNT and the respective functional groups. This orientation behavior has been characterized using Raman spectroscopy and infra-red dichroism. The behaviors of gel crystallization and solvent freezing within PVA/CNT dispersions were studied using thermal analysis and rheology. Carbon nanotubes were found to nucleate PVA crystallization in the gel state. PVA/CNT gel aging behavior was characterized by structural, thermal, and mechanical, and dynamic mechanical means. Gel aging was shown to increase the draw ratio of PVA/CNT fibers, and the development of the higher temperature melting peak was attributed to the draw induced ordering of PVA along CNTs. The scanning electron micrographs of fractured PVA/CNT fibers showed fibrils having an average diameter of about 22 nm. The storage modulus of aged gel was a function of solvent diffusion, which changed with aging time. CNTs were shown to have stabilized the gel network, as characterized by the dynamic mechanical properties, and to provide nucleation sites for the ordering of PVA chains, as characterized by WAXD.

The performances of current electrical energy storage systems (both batteries and electrochemical capacitors) are not capable of meeting the ever-increasing demands of emerging technologies. This is because batteries often suffer from slow power delivery, limited life-time, and long charging time whereas electrochemical capacitors suffer from low energy density. While extensive efforts have been made to the development of novel electrode materials, progress has been hindered by the lack of a profound understanding on the complex charge storage mechanism. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to develop novel electrode materials which can exhibit both high energy and power density with prolonged life-time and to gain a fundamental understanding of their charge storage mechanism. First, nanostructured, thin, and conformal coatings of transition metal oxides have been deposited onto three-dimensional porous substrates of current collectors to form composite electrodes. The structures and compositions of the oxide coatings are further altered by a controlled annealing process and characterized by electron microscopy and spectroscopy, laboratory X-ray diffraction, gas adsorption analysis, and in-situ and ex-situ synchrotron-enabled X-ray diffraction and absorption spectroscopy. The structural features have also been correlated with the electrochemical behavior of the transition metal oxides as an electrode in an electrochemical capacitor. It is found that the electrochemical performance of the composite electrodes depends sensitively on the composition, nanostructure, and morphology of the oxide coatings. When optimized, the electrodes displayed the highest energy and power density with excellent cycling life among all materials reported for electrochemical capacitors. Finally, new charge storage mechanisms have also been proposed for the novel electrode materials based on insights gained from in-situ synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Polymer clay nanocomposites of polyamides and biodegradable polymers with three kinds of organomodified clays were prepared by different techniques (in situ polymerization, solution casting, and melt mixing). The polymers used in this research were nylons 56, 65 and 47 and the biodegradable polymers: poly (glycolic acid-alt-6-hydrohexanoic acid) and poly(glycolic acid-alt-6-aminohexanoic acid). The development of biodegradable nanocomposites with improved or modified material properties is an interesting topic since these new materials are expected to replace already existing biodegradable and non-biodegradable commodity plastics in some specific applications.This project aims to study the influence of clay particles incorporated in a polymer matrix on the crystallization processes, the study of the in situ polymerization kinetics of mixtures of clays and monomers of biodegradable polymers, as well as the influence of nanoparticles on the thermal behavior and morphologic parameters. Even-odd, and odd-even polyamides were chosen to study the Brill transition and to prepare nanocomposites with organomodified clays. These polyamides have a peculiar structure where hydrogen bonds are established along two different directions. X-ray diffraction as well as SAXS-WAXD synchrotron experiments were employed to study the structural changes induced by temperature, during heating and cooling. Different organomodified clays were used to prepare nanocomposites, which final structure was found to be dependent on the preparation method. Nanocomposites derived from biodegradable polymers were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Morphological studies showed that the extent of clay dispersion depended on the clay type and on the preparation technique. Hence, exfoliated and intercalated nanocomposites could be obtained. The final nanocomposite structure was found to have a great influence on both cold and hot crystallization processes. Hence, the crystallization rate increased and decreased with respect to the neat polymer when intercalated and exfoliated structures were respectively obtained. The kinetics of the polymerization process was also studied by means of FTIR and SAXS-WAXD. The results indicate that the presence of the organomodified clay had a remarkable effect on the kinetic parameters.

A novel multiscale approach is introduced for determining the thermal conductivity of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) reinforced with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), which accounts for their intrinsic uncertainties associated with dispersion, distribution, and morphology. Heterogeneities in PNCs on nanoscale are identified and quantified in a statistical sense, for the calculation of effective local properties. A finite element method computes the overall macroscale properties of PNCs in conjunction with the Monte Carlo simulations. This Monte Carlo Finite Element Approach (MCFEA) allows for acquiring the randomness in spatial distribution of the nanotubes throughout the composite. Furthermore, the proposed MCFEA utilizes the nanotube content, orientation, aspect ratio and diameter inferred from their statistical information. Local SWCNT volume or weight fractions are assigned to the finite elements (FEs), based on various spatial probability distributions. Multi-phase homogenization techniques are applied to each FE to calculate the local thermal conductivities. Then, the Monte Carlo simulations provide the statistics on the overall thermal conductivity of the PNCs. Subsequently, dispersion characteristics of the nanotubes are assessed by incorporating nanotube agglomerates. In this regard, a multi-phase homogenization method is developed for enhanced accuracy and effectiveness. The effect of the nanotube orientation in a polymer is studied for the cases where the SWCNTs are randomly oriented as well as longitudinally aligned. The influence of voids existing in the polymer is investigated on the thermal conductivity, to capture the uncertainties in PNCs more extensively. Further, a unique damage evaluation model is proposed to assess the degradation of PNCs when subjected to thermal cycling. The growth in void content is represented with a Weibull-based equation, to quantify the deterioration of the thermal and mechanical properties of PNCs under thermal fatigue. In addition, the MCFEA considers the interface resistance of the carbon nanotubes as one of the key factors in the thermal conductivity of nanocomposites. Parametric studies are performed comprehensively. The numerical results obtained are compared with available analytical techniques at hand and with the data from pertinent independent experimental studies. It is found that the proposed MCFEA is capable of estimating the thermal conductivity with good accuracy.

L'addition de nanotubes de carbone multiparois (MWNT) dans une matrice de polyamide 12 (PA 12), électriquement isolante, permet d'augmenter les propriétés électriques vers un comportement conducteur. Cette modification est influencée par l'arrangement des MWNT en chemins de conduction qui permettent le transfert des charges électriques entre deux électrodes. La conductivité électrique des nanocomposites isotropes atteint une valeur asymptote (~10-2 S.m-1) pour des teneurs supérieures à 1,2% en masse (seuil de percolation électrique). En microinjection, les nanocomposites sont soumis à des taux de cisaillement très élevés (~104 s-1) et des gradients de températures extrêmes, qui conditionnent fortement la microstructure et les propriétés électriques de pièces mises en forme par ce procédé. Cette thèse a eu pour but d'expliquer l'influence de la vitesse de cisaillement (0,02 s-1 - 1 s-1) et la vitesse de refroidissement (3 °C.min-1) sur l'évolution des propriétés électriques du nanocomposite PA12/MWNT. L'analyse de ces propriétés a permis de déduire, à l'état fondu, l'évolution de l'arrangement de MWNT dans cette fenêtre de conditions. Dans les pièces microinjectées, nous constatons une perte complète du comportement conducteur dans la direction normale au plan d'écoulement et une chute de la conductivité dans les directions d'injection et transverse. Ces faits suggèrent alors un arrangement en forme d'agrégats faiblement orientés dans le plan d'écoulement, qui est corroboré par la très large distribution d'orientation déterminée par l'analyse en spectroscopie Raman des pièces micro-injectées. Lors du procédé de microinjection, les agrégats de MWNT seraient alors cassés dans des agrégats plus petits, mais fortement déconnectés les uns des autres, expliquant ainsi la chutedes propriétés électriques mais aussi l'observation d'une microstructure quasi isotrope à l'échelle macro et micro.