title: Three-dimensional heterostructure of metallic nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes as potential nanofiller.
abstract: The effect of the dimensionality of metallic nanoparticle-and carbon nanotube-based fillers on the mechanical properties of an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer matrix was examined. ABS composite films, reinforced with low dimensional metallic nanoparticles (MNPs, 0-D) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs, 1-D) as nanofillers, were fabricated by a combination of wet phase inversion and hot pressing. The tensile strength and elongation of the ABS composite were increased by 39% and 6%, respectively, by adding a mixture of MNPs and CNTs with a total concentration of 2 wt%. However, the tensile strength and elongation of the ABS composite were found to be significantly increased by 62% and 55%, respectively, upon addition of 3-D heterostructures with a total concentration of 2 wt%. The 3-D heterostructures were composed of multiple CNTs grown radially on the surface of MNP cores, resembling a sea urchin. The mechanical properties of the ABS/3-D heterostructured nanofiller composite films were much improved compared to those of an ABS/mixture of 0-D and 1-D nanofillers composite films at various filler concentrations. This suggests that the 3-D heterostructure of the MNPs and CNTs plays a key role as a strong reinforcing agent in supporting the polymer matrix and simultaneously serves as a discrete force-transfer medium to transfer the loaded tension throughout the polymer matrix.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nanofusion Technology, College of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Pusan National University, 30 Jangjeon-dong, Geumjung-gu, Busan 609-735, South Korea. sookim@pusan.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Whi Dong
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jun Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.forename: Ji Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Jae Beom
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dongyun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Suck Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Soo Hyung
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim