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Abstract:
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We have investigated the crystallization characteristics of melt compounded nanocomposites of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and single
walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed that SWNTs at weight fractions as low as 0.03 wt% enhance
the rate of crystallization in PET, as the cooling nanocomposite melt crystallizes at a temperature 10 °C higher as compared to neat PET.
Isothermal crystallization studies also revealed that SWNTs significantly accelerate the crystallization process. WAXD showed oriented
crystallization of PET induced by oriented SWNTs in a randomized PET melt, indicating the role of SWNTs as nucleating sites. |