Scanning Electron Microscope Evaluation Of The Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride)/Multiple-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Metal Oxides Nanocomposites

The investigation of new composite materials is performed in order to obtain improved properties by associating the individual characteristics of their components. In this sense, polymer-based nanocomposites filled with multiple-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) can be used in a range of technological applications where flexibility, mechanical and thermal resistance are required, among others. To exploit these potentialities, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) homopolymer was mixed with MWCNT and metal oxides aiming the enhancement of ionizing radiation attenuation features, for future use as attenuating materials. In order to improve the alignment and dispersion of MWCNT, metal oxides were used in a small proportion (0.05%). Samples of PVDF/MWCNT-Bi2O3, PVDF/MWCNT-BaSO4, PVDF/MWCNT-BaO, as well as PVDF/Bi2O3, PVDF/BaSO4 and PVDF/BaO were prepared. The nanocomposites were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), in order to study the dispersion quality and influence on the crystalline structure of the polymer matrix. The DSC and SEM data revealed that the structural integrity is maintained. The dispersion quality of the metal oxides was studied by EDS. An initial low energy (8.5 keV) X-ray attenuation test was performed by using an X-ray diffractometer, demonstrating the potential of the samples as attenuating material.