Title:
Reactive molding and self-assembly techniques for controlling the interface and dispersion of the particulate phase in nanocomposites.

dc.contributor.advisor Tannenbaum, Rina
dc.contributor.author Pranger, Lawrence A. en_US
dc.contributor.committeeMember Garmestani, Hamid
dc.contributor.committeeMember Jacob, Karl
dc.contributor.committeeMember Patterson, Tim
dc.contributor.committeeMember Singh, Preet
dc.contributor.department Materials Science and Engineering en_US
dc.date.accessioned 2009-01-22T15:45:10Z
dc.date.available 2009-01-22T15:45:10Z
dc.date.issued 2008-11-07 en_US
dc.description.abstract This research explored the processing and properties of PNCs using a polyfurfural alcohol (PFA) matrix. The precursor for PFA, furfuryl alcohol (FA) is sourced from feedstocks rich in hemicellulose, such as corn cobs, oat hulls and wood. To exploit FA as a polymerizable solvent, cellulose whiskers (CW) and montmorillonite clay (MMT) were used as the nanoparticle phase. Results from PNC processing show that CW and MMT can be dispersed in the PFA matrix by means of insitu polymerization, without the use of surfactants or dilution in solvents. Both CW and MMT nanoparticles catalyze the polymerization of furfuryl alcohol (FA). Moreover, the insitu intercalative polymerization of FA in the interlayer galleries of MMT leads to the complete exfoliation of the MMT in the PFA matrix. CW and MMT both function as effective matrix modifiers, increasing the thermal stability of PFA nanocomposites compared to pure PFA polymer. The increased thermal stability is seen as significant increases in the onset of degradation and in residual weight at high temperature. This research also explored the surface functionalization of Cu, Ni and Pt substrates by self-assembly of a range of difunctional linker molecules. Characterization by XPS and PM-IRRAS indicate that diisocyanides and dicarboxylic acids both form chemically "sticky" surfaces after self-assembly on Cu and Ni. Sticky surfaces may provide a means of increasing nanoparticle dispersion in metal nanocluster filled PNCs, by increasing their interaction with the matrix polymer. Another potential application for sticky surfaces on Cu is in the ongoing miniaturization of circuit boards. The functionalization of Cu bond pad substrates with linker molecules may provide an alternate means of bonding components to their bond pads, with higher placement accuracy compared to solder bumps. en_US
dc.description.degree Ph.D. en_US
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/1853/26551
dc.publisher Georgia Institute of Technology en_US
dc.subject Cellulose whiskers en_US
dc.subject Polyfurfuryl alcohol en_US
dc.subject Nanocomposites en_US
dc.subject Biobased en_US
dc.subject.lcsh Nanostructured materials Deterioration
dc.subject.lcsh Self-organizing systems
dc.subject.lcsh Nanoparticles
dc.title Reactive molding and self-assembly techniques for controlling the interface and dispersion of the particulate phase in nanocomposites. en_US
dc.type Text
dc.type.genre Dissertation
dspace.entity.type Publication
local.contributor.corporatename School of Materials Science and Engineering
local.contributor.corporatename College of Engineering
relation.isOrgUnitOfPublication 21b5a45b-0b8a-4b69-a36b-6556f8426a35
relation.isOrgUnitOfPublication 7c022d60-21d5-497c-b552-95e489a06569
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