Synthesis and characterization of carbon nanotube-reinforced epoxy: Correlation between viscosity and elastic modulus

Abstract

This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues.Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. abstractWe report the synthesis and characterization of nanocomposite thin films consisting of single-walled carbon nanotubes with different functionalization schemes dispersed in an epoxy matrix. The thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of nanocomposite thin films were experimentally characterized to establish a relationship between processing and performance. The results from the rheological analysis confirmed that the nanotube type and functionalization strongly affect the resin viscosity during cure. A correlation between the rheological behaviour and the measured elastic properties was established. Nanotubes produced by plasma and functionalized with carboxyl group had the lowest influence on viscosity and led to the highest improvement in elastic properties. The measured increase in elastic modulus was consistent with predictions based on Mori-Tanaka micromechanics.

Mechanical performance of epoxy matrix hybrid nanocomposites containing carbon nanotubes and nanodiamonds

“…4 b. Generally a rising trend is observed in tensile modulus of epoxy matrix composites by adding CNTs [39,40,64]; for example, the elastic modulus increased continuously in composites containing coiled CNTs [60] and SWCNTs, DWCNTs and MWCNTs, both un-treated and NH 2 -treated, increased the tensile modulus of epoxy matrix composites [41,42]. In an interesting study, 0.5wt% MWCNTs were incorporated in epoxy matrix with different matrix stiffness values by varying the quantity of curing agent; it was found that the effect of MWCNTs was significant in ductile matrix which gradually reduced with an increase in the stiffness of the matrix [65].…”

“…For example, improvement in tensile properties has been shown in epoxy matrix composites containing CNTs in limited quantities, i.e. up to 2.0wt% [38][39][40] as well as in large quantities, i.e. up to 8.0wt% [40].…”

Study of the effects of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes on mechanical performance and thermal stability of polypropylene

“…Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have received much attention in the last years as they are suitable to increase mechanical properties and thermal stability of polymer matrices [7–13]. Furthermore, their cost has been considerably reduced and this has allowed introduction of CNTs at industrial level.…”

Carbon nanotube (CNT)–epoxy nanocomposites: a systematic investigation of CNT dispersion

“…What makes CNTs very interesting for composites is that even with a relatively low level of loading (ca. 0.1-1 wt%), improvements in mechanical properties of polymers have been reported (Hubert et al 2009;Gojny et al 2004). Yet there exist a number of challenges to be overcome in order for successful exploitation of the full potential of these tiny nanotubes of carbon.…”

“…Out of many possible applications, mechanical reinforcement of polymers by incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has received strong interest from the scientific community as well as the industry, especially since the beginning of the new millennium (Coleman et al 2006; Thostenson and Chou 2006;Gojny et al 2005;Chakraborty and Coleman 2008;Hubert et al 2009). What makes CNTs very interesting for composites is that even with a relatively low level of loading (ca.…”