(666a) Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites for Electronic Device Applications

Toward the development of the multifunctionality in the electronic devices, various polymers and nanofillbers have been integrated for the polymer nanocomposites due to their unique physicochemical properties such as light weight, optical and mechanical properties. Memory hard disk (GMR sensor) and the Boeing 787 have exemplified the wide practical applications of the composites.

The challenges to achieve the high-quality polymer nanocomposites are particle dispersion and the interaction between the polymer matrix and the fillers. Both the poor particle dispersion with the agglomerated particles and the weak filler-polymer interaction will reduce the mechanical properties. Both physical and chemical approaches have been reported to solve these issues.

In this talk, polymer nanocomposites with three different categories will be presented to illustrate our contribution in the above field. The nanocomposite matrices will include the thermosetting epoxy with an aim to improve the electrical conductivity, conductive polymer like polypyrrole based nanocomposites and the thermoplastic polypropylene. Novel methods to achieve the above nanocomposites will include the unique surface-initiated polymerization (SIP). The related electrically conductivity, magnetic properties and electrotransport in the above nanocomposites will be presented. The applications presented will relate to the unique GMR, microwave absorption, electric switching and electrochromic phenomena.

References:

1) P. Mavinakuli; S. Wei; Q. Wang; A. B. Karki; D. P. Young; S. Dhage; Z. Wang and Z. Guo "Polypyrrole/Silicon Carbide Nanocomposites with Tunable Electrical Conductivity", Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 114(9) 3874?3882 (2010)

2) Z. Guo; K. Shin; A. B. Karki; D. P. Young; R. B. Kaner; H. T. Hahn "Fabrication and Characterization of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Filled Polypyrrole Nanocomposites" Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 11 (6) 1441-1452 (2009)

3) J. Zhu; S. Wei; M. J. Alexander; D. Cocke; T. C. Ho; Z. Guo "Electrical Conductivity Manipulation and Switching Phenomena of Poly(p-phenylenebenzobisthiazole) Thin Film by Doping Process" Journal of Materials Chemistry, 20, 568-574 (2010)