Nanocomposites and nanomaterials

Thermodynamic and thermostructural study
 of FeCu + x % MWCNTs nanocomposites
S. Revo1, S.G. Nedilko, T. Dorbani2, M. C. Bouleklab2, Y. Naoui2,            S. Hamamda2
1 National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv, Ukraine. 
64/13, Volodymyrska str., Kyiv-01601, Ukraine. 
E-mail: s_revo@i.ua
2 Laboratory of Thermodynamics and Surface Treatment of Materials, University brothers Mentouri Constantine 1, Algeria.

The objective of this note is to study the influence of addition of different concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2%) of MWCNTs in the FeCu matrix. The four samples were mixed in a planetary ball mill with an acceleration of 50g during 20 minutes time. The samples obtained are ribbons no more of 1mm thick.
Different characterization techniques have been used.
The dilatometric behaviour of the four samples is comparable in the temperature range 30 – 500 °C. Beyond 550 °C, the difference between them increases and become noticeable for FeCu + 0.5% MWCNTs.
The FeCu + 2% MWCNTs nanocomposite is the least expanding and remains practically stable over the entire temperature range. This behaviour is in agreement with the Raman spectroscopic characterization. The FeCu + 2% MWCNTs nanocomposite has the lowest ID/IG ratio meaning that the nanomaterial contains fewer defects compared to FeCu + 0.5% MWCNTs and FeCu + 1% MWCNTs. Thermogravimetric measurements confirmed that the same nanocomposite is the most stable compared to other nanomaterials. The DSC signal of the FeCu + 2% MWCNTS nanocomposite showed that it has the lowest calorific value than the other three.