Epoxy—MWCNT composites prepared from master batch and powder dilution: Effect of ionic liquid on dispersion and multifunctional properties

Abstract

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the form of powder or as epoxy‐based masterbatch were compounded with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)‐based epoxy resin in order to evaluate the effect of the dispersion state on the main properties of the epoxy‐based nanocomposites. 1‐Butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (bmim.BF4) as ionic liquid was also employed to assist the CNT dispersion. The use of 1phr of CNT from ER‐based masterbatch is beneficial for improving the dispersion of CNT, as observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the processability of the resulting system, as indicated by rheological properties. The improved dispersion also promotes an improvement of the dynamic‐mechanical properties (glass transition temperature and storage modulus) as well as better adhesive properties. However, the CNT as powder displays better electrical and thermal conductivities. The presence of ionic liquid improves the electrical conductivity, but decreases the Tg and the adhesive properties. CNT also accelerates the curing process, which is also enhanced by the presence of ionic liquid. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1689–1697, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Nanostructured epoxy—rubber network modified with mwcnt and ionic liquid: Electrical, dynamic‐mechanical, and adhesion properties

“…No significant influence of IL on the morphology of these nanocomposites was observed. Similar feature was also observed for the system where CNT as a masterbatch was used in nonmodified epoxy matrix .…”

“…The IL attached on the surface of the CNT may act as a bridge, brings together the CNT. The nanocomposite prepared with functionalized CNT also displays some spherical but very small domains, which can be attributed to the rubber phase and also to the IL, because, as observed in our previous work, this IL is not completely miscible with epoxy resin .…”

“…Commercially available masterbatch-based epoxy/CNT has been used by Korayen et al [37] and in our previous work [38]. A more homogeneous distribution of CNT in epoxy matrix was observed, when compared with CNT as a powder, thus resulting in better mechanical properties [37] and higher storage modulus, higher T g and better adhesion properties [38].…”

“…In the last example, the use of high amount of CNT significantly increase the viscosity during preparation, thus requiring additional shear forces for processing, which in turn improve the dispersion [35]. Commercially available masterbatch-based epoxy/CNT has been used by Korayen et al [37] and in our previous work [38]. A more homogeneous distribution of CNT in epoxy matrix was observed, when compared with CNT as a powder, thus resulting in better mechanical properties [37] and higher storage modulus, higher T g and better adhesion properties [38].…”

“…Therefore, in the present work, the effect of room-temperature ionic liquid (IL), 1butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (bmimBF 4 ) was also investigated. This IL has been reported to contribute for an improvement of the electrical properties of epoxy/CNT system, probably due to a better CNT dispersion thus favoring the formation of conducting pathway [38][39][40]. Thus, the present work also aims studying the effect of CNT in the masterbatch form and the presence of IL on the rheological behavior of the epoxy resin modified with PBNCO (ER/PBNCO) as well as on the electrical conductivity, dynamic-mechanical, and adhesion properties of the corresponding networks.…”