Development of high-performance resin nanocomposites by resin cellulation using multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

This work aims to enhance resin reinforcing performance and thermal resistance through the innovative use of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for advanced material applications. The new method, which relied on MWCNT disentanglement under high shear stress, produced resin matrix nanocomposites. The MWCNT/resin nanocomposites showed improved stiffness without significant flexibility loss and did not flow above 160 °C. These dramatic improvements may result from the formation of a three-dimensional structure at the MWCNT/resin interface.

Preparation of high‐performance carbon nanotube/polyamide composite materials by elastic high‐shear kneading and improvement of properties by induction heating treatment

“…Therefore, it is necessary to defibrate the aggregates of CNTs. As shown in a previous report, 24 CNT aggregates are not defibrated by kneading after the viscosity has decreased. Therefore, the surface temperature of the open roll was limited to a narrow range of 255-260 C. Because tan δ of pristine PA66 in this temperature range is 0.1-0.15, elastic high-shear kneading can be performed based on the elasticity of pristine PA66.…”

“…Figure 2 shows SEM images of the tensile fracture surface of composite materials with 6.6 and 10 vol% CNTs, respectively. No CNT aggregates were found; rather, the CNT aggregates were defibrated, with the CNTs being uniformly dispersed in the PA66 matrix 24 . Figure 3 shows a magnified SEM image of the tensile fracture surface of the 10 vol% CNT composite, which indicates that the CNTs are defibrated.…”

“…No CNT aggregates were found; rather, the CNT aggregates were defibrated, with the CNTs being uniformly dispersed in the PA66 matrix. 24 Figure 3 shows a magnified SEM image of the tensile fracture surface of the 10 vol% CNT composite, which indicates that the CNTs are defibrated. The arrows in the figure demonstrate that the PA66 matrix part, CNT and PA66 were attached so as to cover the CNT.…”

“…We have proposed a cellulation model as a reinforcing mechanism for CNT polymer composite materials and have reported results for various rubbers and resins. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] CNTs are defibrated in a matrix polymer by an elastic high-shear kneading method and are connected through an interfacial phase to form a continuous 3D structure, termed a cellulation structure. It is presumed that this structure reinforces and imparts various properties to the matrix polymer.…”

“…It is presumed that this structure reinforces and imparts various properties to the matrix polymer. [21][22][23][24] Figure 10 shows an image of the cellulation model (a) and a simplified cell model (b). As shown by an SEM image of raw CNT material, the CNTs are intricately bent and are expected to be randomly oriented in the PA66 matrix.…”