ABSTRACT: Polyolefins are ubiquitous in polymer technology, yet conductive nanocomposites based on these materials are very difficult to manufacture, because of the inability to efficiently disperse conductive nanoparticles, and the poor interfacial adhesion between polymers and fillers. During the last decade we have done extensive research to develop melt compounded electroconductive polyolefin composites, containing well dispersed conducting fillers, such as carbon black, multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), graphite and graphene. Our objective has been accomplished by applying blending technology, coupled with matrix and filler functionalization strategies. We have created 1-D conductive structures by aligning MWCNTs along a preferred direction, upon application of electric fields and shear. The resulting conductive composites offer electrical conductivity, superior heat conduction, and mechanical robustness, which are desired material attributes in applications such as conductive coatings and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and vulcanizate (TPV) formulations suitable for automotive applications.
Bio-sketch: Marianna Kontopoulou. M.Eng., Ph.D., P.Eng.
Prof. Kontopoulou obtained her Ph.D. and Master’s degrees from the Department of Chemical Engineering at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and her Chemical Engineering degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece. She became a faculty member of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Queen’s University in 1999, where she is currently Professor and Associate Head.
Prof. Kontopoulou’s research group applies blending and reactive modification approaches to develop novel thermoplastic materials with improved processability and properties, including polyolefin and bioplastic compounds, polymer nanocomposites, thermoplastic foams, and electrically conductive composites. She has co-authored more than 100 scientific publications, including peer-reviewed journal papers and conference proceedings and she has extensive industrial collaborations. She is the President of the Canadian Society of Rheology (2013-2017) and served as the Vice President from 2008 to 2012. She is the Editor for the Americas of the International Polymer Processing journal. She received the 2010 Morand Lambla Award of the Polymer Processing Society, awarded in recognition for achievements and creativity among young researchers in the polymer science and technology field.