Measurement of dispersion and homogeneity of functionalized graphene/CNT hybrid epoxy composite

Abstract

Fabrication of amine-functionalized multi-graphene layers and multi-walled carbon nanotube nanofillers (0.25, 0.50, 1 and 2 wt%) reinforced with epoxy resin has been successfully performed to obtain hybrid epoxy composite. Effect of filler ratio on dispersion and homogeneity of hybrid composite mixture is investigated. Particle size distribution (PSD) pattern and tensile properties of hybrid composite are correlated with the degree of dispersion. The PSD is performed by dynamic light scattering technique and image analysis method. Analyses of scanning electron microscopy images are performed using ImageJ software. The pattern of PSD for composites is found to be similar by both the methods. Hybrid composite reinforced with filler content 0.5 wt% shows best homogeneous mixture. The value of PDI is observed to be lowest by both PSD analysis methods which make agreement of results. Determination of tensile properties shows that maximum tensile stress of 49.91 MPa and elastic modulus of 2302 MPa are obtained for 0.5 wt% composite. Analysis of PSD of composite mixture provides a direction for selecting appropriate filler content and fabrication process.

Chemo‐rheological and quantitative dispersion analysis of mass‐produced graphene‐unsaturated polyester based nanocomposites

“…Nevertheless, there are only a few researchers that follow an objective and quantitative approach for studying the dispersion state of the nanoparticles, [24][25][26][27] in which methods based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show a very limited sample view. [28][29][30] Yourdkhani 31 conducted a quantitative analysis of nanoclay dispersion in polylactic acid (PLA) and evaluated their mechanical performance using tensile testing. The findings indicated a correlation between the degree of dispersion and mechanical properties, as samples with better quantified dispersion state of nanoclays demonstrated higher tensile moduli.…”

“…Otherwise, the non‐homogeneous dispersion of the nanoparticles will result in resin‐rich and agglomerated particles that will eventually act as crack initiators in the structure. Nevertheless, there are only a few researchers that follow an objective and quantitative approach for studying the dispersion state of the nanoparticles, 24–27 in which methods based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show a very limited sample view 28–30 . Yourdkhani 31 conducted a quantitative analysis of nanoclay dispersion in polylactic acid (PLA) and evaluated their mechanical performance using tensile testing.…”

Mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes/epoxy nanocomposites: Pre-curing, curing temperature, and cooling rate

“…16 Carbon nanofillers such as carbon nanotube and graphene have shown excellent mechanical properties thus can be used as reinforcement of polymer matrix. 17 Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) were chosen as nanofiller in this work due to their tensile strength, which is over ten times of any industrial fibres. 18 Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used instead of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNTs) due to their cost-effectivity, while the tensile strength and the Young's modulus can be as high as 63 GPa and 270-950 GPa, respectively.…”