Radiation processed ethylene vinyl acetate-multiple walled carbon nanotube nano-composites: Effect of MWNT addition on the gel content and crosslinking density
K. A. Dubey, Y. K. Bhardwaj, C. V. Chaudhari, V. Kumar, N. K. Goel, S. Sabharwal
Vol. 3., No.8., Pages 492-500, 2009
DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2009.61
DOI: 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2009.61
Corresponding author: Y. K. Bhardwaj 
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
Different compositions of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/multiple walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) nano-composites were prepared by melt mixing and subjected to different doses of gamma radiation. The efficiency of radiation vulcanization was analyzed by sol-gel analysis, Charlesby-Pinner parameter estimation and crosslinking density measurements. Gamma radiation induced crosslinking was found to increase with MWNT fraction in EVA-MWNT nano-composites (p0/q0 in the range: 1.15–0.98). These results ruled out the possibility of a significant neutralization of single ionization spurs by MWNT addition. The incorporation of MWNT also resulted in increased hardness and higher density of the nano-composite matrix. The efficiency of multifunctional acrylates as crosslinking aid in the radiation-induced vulcanization of EVA-MWNT nano-composites was also investigated. The results established lower efficiency of methacrylates than of acrylates in the radiation vulcanization process.
