Thermal Analysis of Polymer Nanocomposites Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The thermal characteristics of refractory nanocomposites embedded with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were systematically examined utilizing a novel automated analytical approach. This method effectively accentuates the variations in thermal behavior of nanocomposites prepared with different processing parameters, specifically under controlled temperature gradients and applied thermal loads. Such insights are critical for optimizing these materials for integration into sensor technologies and applications demanding superior fire resistance. Experimental results revealed that nanocomposites subjected to a nanotube dispersion duration of two hours exhibited a maximum temperature differential of 55 °C, whereas samples processed with a one-hour dispersion time demonstrated a peak differential of 50 °C. Comparative evaluation of the heat transfer kinetics indicates that prolonging the dispersion time by an additional hour enhances the material's fire resistance by approximately 15%. © 2025 IEEE.