Since the publication of the successful first edition of the book in 2010, the field has matured and a large number of advancements have been made to the science of polymer nanotube nanocomposites (PNT) in terms of synthesis, filler surface modification, as well as properties. Moreover, a number of commercial applications have been realized. The aim of this second volume of the book is, thus, to update the information presented in the first volume as well as to incorporate the recent research and industrial developments.

This edited volume brings together contributions from a variety of senior scientists in the field of polymer nanotube composites technology to shed light on the recent advances in these commercially important areas of polymer technology. The book provides the following features:

Vikas Mittal is currently an assistant professor in the Chemical Engineering Department of The Petroleum Institute at Abu Dhabi. He obtained his PhD in 2006 from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland. He also worked as a polymer engineer at BASF Polymer Research in Ludwigshafen, Germany. His research interests include polymer nanocomposites, compatibilization of organic and inorganic materials, polymer colloids, thermal stability studies, and? anti-corrosion coatings.?He has published more than 50 journal publications, authored as well as edited several books on these subjects.

Preface xiii

1 Polymer Nanotube Nanocomposites:  A Review of Synthesis Methods, Properties and Applications 1
Joel Fawaz and Vikas Mittal

1.1  Introduction 2

1.2 Methods of Nanotube Nanocomposites Synthesis 4

1.3 Properties of Polymer Nanotube Nanocomposites 18

1.4 Applications 38

References 40

2 Functionalization Strategies for Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Integration into Epoxy Matrices 45
J.M. González-Domínguez, A.M. Díez-Pascual, A. Ansón-Casaos, M.A. Gómez-Fatou, and M. T. Martínez

2.1 Introduction 46

2.2 Covalent Strategies for the Production of SWCNT 51

2.3 Non-covalent Strategies for the Production of SWCNT/Epoxy Composites 62

2.4 Effect of Functionalization on the Epoxy Physical Properties 76

2.5 Applications of Functionalized SWCNTs in Epoxy Composites 104

2.6 Concluding Remarks and Future Outlook 106

Acknowledgements 108

References 109

3 Multiscale Modeling of Polymer?Nanotube Nanocomposites 117
Maenghyo Cho and Seunghwa Yang

3.1 Introduction 117

3.2 Molecular Modeling and Simulation of CNT-Polymer Nanocomposites 121

3.3 Micromechanics Modeling and Simulation of CNT-Polymer Nanocomposites 132

3.4 Fully Integrated Multiscale Model for Elastoplastic Behavior with Imperfect Interface 145

3.5 Conclusion and Perspective on Future Trends 158

References 160

4 SEM and TEM Characterization of Polymer Nanotube Nanocomposites 167
Francisco Solá

4.1 Introduction 167

4.2 Imaging CNTs in Polymer Matrices by SEM 168

4.3 Mechanical Properties of CNT/Polymer Nanocomposites by In-Situ SEM 172

4.4 Imaging CNT in Polymer Matrices by TEM 176

4.5 Mechanical Properties of CNT/Polymer Nanocomposites by In-Situ TEM 180

4.6 Conclusions and Future Outlook 181

Acknowledgement 182

References 183

5 Polymer-Nanotube Nanocomposites for Transfemoral Sockets 187
S. Arun and S. Kanagaraj

5.1 Introduction 188

5.2 Materials Used for the Socket System 190

5.3 Summary 204

Acknowledgements 204

References 204

6 Micro-Patterning of Polymer Nanotube Nanocomposites 211
Naga S. Korivi

6.1 Introduction 211

6.2 Micro-Patterning Methods 213

6.3 Conclusions 230

Acknowledgments 231

References 231

7 Carbon Nanotube-Based Hybrid Materials and Their Polymer Composites 239
Tianxi Liu, Wei Fan, and Chao Zhang

7.1 Introduction 240

7.2 Structures and Properties of Carbon Nanomaterials 242

7.3 Strategies for the Hybridization of CNTs with Carbon Nanomaterials 247

7.4 Preparation of CNT-Based Hybrid Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites 257

7.5 Physical Properties of CNT-Based Hybrid Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites 262

7.6 Summary 272

Acknowledgements 273

References 273

8 Polymer-Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Foams 279
Marcelo Antunes and José Ignacio Velasco

8.1 Introduction 279

8.2 Basic Concepts of Polymer Nanocomposite Foams 281

8.3 Main Polymer Nanocomposite Foaming Technologies 282

8.4 Polymer-Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Foams 287

8.5 Recent Developments and New Applications of Polymer- Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Foams 312

8.6 Conclusions 320

Acknowledgements 322

References 323

9 Processing and Properties of Carbon Nanotube/Polycarbonate Composites 333
Shailaja Pande, Bhanu Pratap Singh, and Rakesh Behari Mathur

9.1 Introduction 333

9.2 Fabrication/ Processing of CNT/PC Composites 335

9.3 Mechanical Properties of CNT/PC Composites 344

9.4 Electrical Properties of CNT/PC Composites 355

9.5 Conclusions 359

References 361

10 Advanced Microscopy Techniques for a Better Understanding of the Polymer/Nanotube Composite Properties 365
K. Masenelli-Varlot, C. Gauthier, L. Chazeau, F. Dalmas, T. Epicier, and J.Y. Cavaillé

10.1 Introduction 365

10.2 Near-Field Microscopies 367

10.3 Transmission Electron Microscopy 372

10.4 Scanning Electron Microscopy 387

10.5 Focused Ion Beam Microscopy 395

10.6 Conclusions 396

Acknowledgements 398

References 398

11 Visualization of CNTs in Polymer Composites 405
Wenjing Li and Wolfgang Bauhofer

11.1 Introduction 405

11.2 Experimental 408

11.3 Visualization of CNTs at High Accelerating Voltage (5-15 kV) 408

11.4 Visualization of CNTs at Low Accelerating Voltage (0.3-5 kV) 417

11.5 Essential Requirements and Tips for CNT Visualization 423

11.6 Conclusion 424

Acknowledgement 425

References (with DOI) 425

Reference List 426

12 Polymer Nanotube Composites: Latest Challenges and  Applications 429
Amal M. K. Esawi and Mahmoud M. Farag

12.1 Carbon Nanotubes 430

12.2 Case Studies 440

12.3 Conclusions 459

References 460

Index