title: Photo-thermal polymerization of nanotube/polymer composites: Effects of load transfer and mechanical strength.
abstract: The authors report a method where in-situ photon assisted heating of multi-wall carbon nanotubes was utilized for enhanced polymerization of the nanotube/polydimethylsiloxane interface that resulted in significant load transfer and improved mechanical properties. Large Raman shifts (20 cm(-1) wavenumbers) of the 2D bands were witnessed for near-infrared light polymerized samples, signifying increased load transfer to the nanotubes for up to ∼80% strains. An increase in elastic modulus of ∼130% for 1 wt. % composites is reported for photon assisted crosslinking.
authors.affiliation: Small Systems Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Loomis
authors.forename: Balaji
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Panchapakesan