Spherical particles comprising carbon nanomaterial-graft-polymer and methods of production and uses thereof
Highly spherical particles may comprise a thermoplastic polymer grafted to a carbon nanomaterial (CNM-g-polymer), wherein the particles have an aerated density of about 0.5 g/cm 3 (preferably about 0.55 g/cm 3 ) to about 0.8 g/cm 3 . Said CNM-g-polymer particles may be useful in a variety of applications including selective laser sintering additive manufacturing methods.
1. A composition comprising:
particles comprising a thermoplastic polymer grafted to a carbon nanomaterial (CNM-g-polymer);
wherein the particles have an aerated density of about 0.55 g/cm 3 to about 0.8 g/cm 3 ;
wherein the thermoplastic polymer is a polyolefin or a polyamide;
wherein the polyamide is grafted to the carbon nanomaterial via a direct covalent bond between the polyamide and an amine functional group or a carboxylic acid functional group of the carbon nanomaterial; and
wherein the polyolefin is grafted to the carbon nanomaterial via a direct covalent bond between the polyolefin and the carbon nanomaterial, which is generated by in-situ free radical functionalization.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanomaterial is selected from the group consisting of a fullerene, a carbon nanotube, graphite, graphene, and any combinations thereof.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have a circularity of about 0.90 to about 1.0.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have an angle of repose of about 25° to about 45°.
5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have a Hausner ratio of about 1.0 to about 1.5.
6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have a D10 of about 0.1 μm to about 125 μm, a D50 of about 0.5 μm to about 200 μm, and a D90 of about 3 μm to about 300 μm, wherein D10<D50<D90.
7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have a diameter span of about 0.2 to about 10.
8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have an aerated density of about 0.6 g/cm 3 to about 0.8 g/cm 3 .
9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have a bulk density of about 0.3 g/cm 3 to about 0.8 g/cm 3 .
10. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have a tapped density of about 0.6 g/cm 3 to about 0.9 g/cm 3 .
11. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles have a BET surface area of about 10 m 2 /g to about 500 m 2 /g.
12. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles further comprise an emulsion stabilizer covering at least a portion of a surface of the particles.
13. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles further comprise a nanoparticle emulsion stabilizer embedded in a surface of the particles.
14. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the particles further comprise a thermoplastic polymer not grafted to a carbon nanomaterial.
15. A composition comprising:
particles comprising a polyamide grafted to a carbon nanomaterial (CNM-g-polyamide) via a direct covalent bond between the polyamide and an amine functional group or a carboxylic acid functional group of the carbon nanomaterial, wherein the particles have an aerated density of about 0.55 g/cm 3 to about 0.8 g/cm 3 .
16. The composition of claim 15 , wherein the particles have a circularity of about 0.90 to about 1.0.
17. The composition of claim 15 , wherein the particles have an angle of repose of about 25° to about 45°.
18. A composition comprising:
particles comprising a polyurethane grafted to a carbon nanomaterial (CNM-g-polyurethane);
wherein the polyurethane is derived from (i) a polyisocyanate component, (ii) a polyol component, and (iii) a chain extender component different from the polyol component;
wherein the polyol component comprises polytetrahydrofuran, and the chain extender comprises 1,4-butanediol; and
wherein the particles have an aerated density of about 0.55 g/cm 3 to about 0.8 g/cm 3 .
19. The composition of claim 18 , wherein the particles have an angle of repose of about 25° to about 45°.