Synergistic toughening of epoxy with carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide for improved long-term performance

Abstract

Epoxy based nanocomposites using graphene oxide (GO) sheets dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as combination fillers were prepared using an in situ polymerization technique. A remarkable synergetic effect was observed between CNTs and GO sheets which improved the mechanical properties of the epoxy. It was confirmed by optical and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images that the dispersion of CNTs in epoxy matrix can be significantly improved by adding GO sheets. The overall mechanical properties of CNT-GO/epoxy composites were greatly enhanced with only adding 0.04 wt% (percent by weight) CNTs and 0.2 wt% GO sheets. Moreover, the fatigue and creep rupture lives of pure epoxy was also significantly increased by the addition of GO dispersed CNTs. Approximately a 950% improvement in fatigue life, and 400% improvement in creep rupture life were observed at the applied stress levels tested.

Synergistic effect of functionalized graphene oxide and carbon nanotube hybrids on mechanical properties of epoxy composites

“…However, compared with the dispersion state of corresponding individual ller (GO or CNT), the relatively improved dispersion can be found, suggesting the co-dispersing effect of GO-CNT in epoxy matrix. [46][47][48] Comparatively, for EGO-CNT, CNTs not only attach on the edge of EGO sheets but also exist between the adjacent EGO sheets (indicated by the white arrows in Fig. 6e) owing to the exfoliated structure of EGO ( Fig.…”

“…According to the above tensile and fracture properties of epoxy composites, we compare the data of elastic modulus (E), tensile strength (s), fracture toughness (K IC ) and critical energy release rate (G IC ) of epoxy-based composites and the relative increasement aer adding different carbon nanollers, as shown in Table 1. 16,29,34,43,48,[55][56][57][58][59][60] All epoxy-based composites have a low ller content (0.24-1 wt%). Compared with other epoxybased composites reported in literatures, the EGO/EP and EGO-CNT/EP in this work have good balance among elastic modulus (E), tensile strength (s), fracture toughness (K IC ) and critical energy release rate (G IC ).…”

Carbon nanotubes and graphene into thermosetting composites: Synergy and combined effect

“…Until now, the published results have been controversial. Li et al . published a remarkable synergetic effect on the mechanical properties; including fatigue and creep failure.…”

Strong, Healable, and Recyclable Composite Paper Made from a Codispersion of Carbon Nanotube and Sulfonated Graphenal Polymer

“…Similar to the present study, CNT and graphene oxide (GO) codispersion has been used in transparent conductive coatings, as fillers to reinforce polymer matrix or to improve the electrical and thermal properties, and to electrospin CNT–GO–PVA composite fibers . However, it was still very hard to realize GO‐assisted CNT dispersion at high concentrations; a common value was just about several tens of mg L −1 , or maximumly 5 mg mL −1 , corresponding to a weight percent about 0.04–0.5 wt%.…”