Improvement Effect of Functionalized Cnts on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Epoxy Matrix

Abstract

Targeting at the brittleness of cured epoxy (EP), functionalized CNTs were integrated into the thermoset to make high-performance CNTs/EP nano-composites.In this investigation, polymaleic acid modified CNTs with a high surface grafting ratio (PMA-CNTs)was prepared through the plasma induced grafting technique , then further functionalized with amino groups to yield A-PMA-CNTs, which were then incorporated into epoxy matrix. Characterization of mechanical properties and heat resistance of the A-PMA-CNTs/EP nanocomposites indicates that A-PMA-CNTs can significantly strengthen and toughen the epoxy resin, with an increased glass transition temperature.