A bioinspired approach to enhancing mechanical and thermal conductivity properties of polymer bonded explosives assisted by polydopamine-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes

摘要

When faced with complicated thermal physical environment, the low mechanical and thermal conductivity property of polymer bonded explosives (PBX) could cause severe damage of PBX. Then, improving mechanical and thermal conductivity property is of great importance for PBX. In this study, inspired by mussels, a facile and noncovalent modification for multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is adopted by the self-polymerization of dopamine. Then, the polydopamine-coated CNTs (CNTs@PDA) were further incorporated into PBX matrix through water suspension method. Next, in-depth characterizations, including FTIR、 FT-Raman、SEM、TEM and TGA, confirmed that the CNTs were successfully coated by a dense graphite-like structure PDA without ruining sidewalls, through the oxidation of dopamine at room temperature. Furthermore, compared to neat PBX and PBX/CNTs nanocomposites, the PBX/CNTs@PDA nanocomposites exhibited improved tensile and compression strength, creep resistance, and thermal conductivity. The work presented herein greatly broadens the application scope of the bioinspired dopamine, and will be potential of interest to the communities in polymer bonded explosives.