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Presentation
Synthesis and Processing of Solution Spun Cellulose Acetate Fibers Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes
Proceedings of the ASME 2015 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, IMECE2015
  • Quazi Nahida Sultana, Georgia Southern University
  • Saheem Absar, Georgia Southern University
  • Stephanie Hulsey, Georgia Southern University
  • Hans Schanz, Georgia Southern University
  • Mujibur R. Khan, Georgia Southern University
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
11-13-2015
DOI
10.1115/IMECE2015-50804
ISBN
978-0-7918-5752-6
Abstract

We report the fabrication of Cellulose Acetate (CA) based fibers reinforced with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) using a solution spinning process. The motivation of this work is to produce high performance fibers based on sustainable natural materials as an alternative to synthetic fibers for structural applications. A 30 wt% solution of CA in a binary solvent system of N, N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and Acetone (3:7 v/v) was used for the solution spinning of CA fibers. Both neat and CNT-loaded CA fibers were produced. The CNT loading with respect to the polymer was at 0.5 wt%. For CA-MWCNT spinning solutions, the MWCNTs were initially dispersed in the solvent and then CA is added and mixed together. The mixing temperature kept 40–45°C. The viscosity of the CA solution was 8,000 cP. Addition of MWCNT increased the viscosity of the CA solution to 32,000 cP. A lab-scale solution spinning line consisting of a constant torque high temperature gear pump and heated extrusion channels was used to produce both neat and CA-MWCNT fibers. The solution was pumped through a spinneret at the end of the extrusion channel with an orifice as a viscous gel-like filament which was passed through a spool placed in a coagulation bath and then it formed as fiber. The fibers are collected to a takeup roll at a draw ratio of 8.0. Characterization studies of both neat and MWCNT loaded fibers were performed differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). DSC analysis of fibers showed reduction in crystallinity of CA upon inclusion of 0.5 wt% MWCNT. TGA analysis showed improvement of thermal stability in CA-MWCNT fibers compared to neat CA. Cross-sections of neat CA fibers showed smooth surfaces with no significant defects, while CA-MWCNT showed formation of micro-voids and irregular features. Longitudinal views of outer surface of both neat CA and CA-MWCNT fibers showed no indication of surface defects or protrusions.

Citation Information
Quazi Nahida Sultana, Saheem Absar, Stephanie Hulsey, Hans Schanz, et al.. "Synthesis and Processing of Solution Spun Cellulose Acetate Fibers Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes" Houston, TexasProceedings of the ASME 2015 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, IMECE2015 (2015)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mujibur-khan/26/