Multi-walled carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy composites were fabricated using shear mixing and sonication. The mechanical, viscoelastic, thermal, and electrical properties of the fabricated specimens were measured and evaluated. From the images and the results of the measurements of tensile strengths, the specimens having 0.6 wt% nanotube content showed better dispersion and higher strength than those of the other specimens. The Young's moduli of the specimens increased as the nanotube filler content was increased in the matrix. As the concentrations of nanotubes filler were increased in the composite specimens, their storage and loss moduli also tended to increase. The specimen having a nanotube filler content of 0.6 wt% showed higher thermal conductivity than that of the other specimens. On the other hand, in the measurement of thermal expansion, specimens having 0.4 and 0.6 wt% filler contents showed a lower value than that of the other specimens. The electrical conductivities also increased with increasing content of nanotube filler. Based on the measured and evaluated properties of the composites, it is believed that the simple and efficient fabrication process used in this study was sufficient to obtain improved properties in the specimens.
We designed and tested a manufacturing process that resulted in the formation of composites with maximized electrical conductivity and optimized electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) properties. Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) paper, which is a microscopic aggregate of van der Waals force interaction, was impregnated with semi-cured epoxy to make SWCNT prepregs. These prepregs were completely cured into SWCNT/epoxy composites. Fabricating and curing processes were executed under proper temperature cycle depending on the time. We inspected SWCNT paper and the interfacial state between the SWCNTs and epoxy in the composite with a field emission-scanning electron microscopy and calculated the SWCNT weight fraction through thermogravimetric analysis measurements. Using these observations, electrical conductivity and EMI SE were investigated according to thickness which could be controlled by the suggested manufacturing process as 1-, 5- and 10-layer composites. Finally, we determined ideal composite thickness and the associated number of prepreg layers using skin depth theory.
A foldable and cuttable sheet heater was fabricated using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and aramid nanofibers (ANFs). SWCNTs are particularly well suited for Joule heating based on their high thermal stability, electrical properties, high current density, and aspect ratio. When the SWCNT/ANF composite reaches a high temperature during Joule heating, ANFs will endure this temperature due to their impressive thermal stability, derived from aramid fibers. With the aim of achieving a synergistic effect between the SWCNTs and ANFs, 0–100 wt% SWCNT/ANF composite sheets were fabricated by tip-type sonication and vacuum filtration. After assessing the thermal stability and electrical properties of the composite sheets, the Joule heating effect was analyzed. TGA showed that our sheet had high thermal stability in an air condition up to around 500 °C. The electrical conductivity of the composite sheet was improved as the amount of SWCNT added rose to 790.0 and 747.5 S/cm in the 75 and 100_SWCNTs/ANF, respectively. The maximum heating temperature, up to 280 °C, reached by Joule heating was measured as a function of SWCNT content and input voltage, and the relationship among SWCNT content, input voltage, heating temperature, and electric power was described. Mechanical properties were also measured in a temperature range similar to the heating temperature of 300 °C reached by Joule heating. Ultimately, we obtained a foldable and cuttable composite sheet with a stretchable structure, capable of being molded into a variety of shapes. This energy-efficient material can potentially be employed in any device in which a heater is required to deliver high temperatures.
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