Term Paper on Polymers | Please Read Entire PDF

ME-678/KA Narh-3/9/2015 1

A. TERM PAPER

Write a Term Paper on the following Topic. Reports due by March 30, 2015.

“The Effect of Nanofiller Dispersion on the Photodegration of Polymer Nanocomposites Exposed to UV

Radiation”.

Synopsis:

Because of the high surface area to volume ratio, nanoparticles have the propensity to form hard agglomerates

that require special techniques to deagglomerate, and poor dispersion of nanoparticles used as fillers for polymer

composites is often blamed for deficiency in mechanical properties, appearance, and life cycle performance of

polymer nanocomposites. Several studies have been carried out to study the degradation effects of nanoparticles

in nanocomposites. In general, most of the reports suggest that the presence of nanofillers improve the

degradability of the nanocomposites. However, only a few of these studies involve the effects of the degree of

nanofiller dispersion on the degradation characteristics of the nanocomposites.

At least 4 Literature papers must be critically reviewed on the above subject. These papers must not be older

than 1995 (this condition will be waived for exceptionally good old journal papers).

Helpful Hint: Read papers dealing with the weathering effects on plastics or polymer composites with the

following keywords: UV radiation, dispersion, UV photodegradation, nanocomposites, nanoparticles, nanotubes

(including carbon nanotubes), reinforcement.

(Remember: the article must relate to polymers, polymer composites, nanocomposites)

Your term paper must contain:

 Abstract (not more than 200 words) (25 points)

 Introduction (Background to help the general reader

understand the research papers you have selected) (10

points)

 Discussion (discuss the strengths

and weaknesses of the research:

experiments and results) (20 points)

 Conclusions & Suggestions (10

points)

 Experimental (Various experimental methods used for

preparation of polymer nanocomposites) (10 points)

 References (these must be

references cited in your paper) (15

points)

 Results (summary of important results, with Figures

embedded in the text) (10 points)

NOTE

 Not more than two references to be cited from the internet-based articles.

 All papers reviewed must be cited in the text of the Report and appear under References. Attach

hardcopies of your cited references to your Report. (A sample research peer reviewed journal paper will

be provided).

 All references must have: author(s), year, title, journal (or conference name), volume (or conference

location), pages.

 Reports without Page Numbers will not be graded.