Increased flexural modulus and strength in SWNT/epoxy composites by a new fabrication method

Abstract

A new method for preparing SWNT/epoxy nanocomposites has been developed which involves high shear mixing of the epoxy resin and SWNT and heat treating the mixture prior to introducing the hardener. The glass transition temperature of the epoxy resin is unaffected by the presence of nanotubes. An improvement of 17% in flexural modulus and 10% in flexural strength has been achieved at 0.05 wt% of nanotubes. These improvements in flexural modulus and strength are attributed to good dispersion of the nanotubes and grafting of epoxy resin to SWNT by an esterification reaction. AbstractA new method for preparing SWNT/epoxy nanocomposites has been developed which involves high shear mixing of the epoxy resin and SWNT and heat treating the mixture prior to introducing the hardener. The glass transition temperature of the epoxy resin is unaffected by the presence of nanotubes. An improvement of 17% in flexural modulus and 10% in flexural strength has been achieved at 0.05 wt% of nanotubes. These improvements in flexural modulus and strength are attributed to good dispersion of the nanotubes and grafting of epoxy resin to SWNT by an esterification reaction.

A review on the role of interface in mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of polymer composites

“…The functional group of the fillers should react with an active group on the polymer chains of the host. One of the suitable methods for chemical bonds formation is the in situ polymerization, where the monomers react with each other and the fillers simultaneously [74][75][76][77][78]. The other way is to modify the host prior to the chemical attachement of the fillers [79].…”

Ultrastrong, Stiff and Multifunctional Carbon Nanotube Composites

“…CNT composites fabricated by conventional methods [3][4][5][6] have not exhibited the exceptional mechanical properties promised by their nanoscale building blocks. For the most widely used dispersion method, the constituent nanotubes underperform when fabricated into composites, which is mainly due to CNT agglomeration and low volume fractions (usually <5%).…”

Effect of an Ionic Liquid on the Flexural and Fracture Mechanical Properties of EP/MWCNT Nanocomposites

“…To create a composite with sufficient mechanical properties and fracture resistance these agglomerates have to be decomposed by a suitable mixing technology. While high energy ultrasonic (US) stirring proved to be effective at laboratory scale [11,12], most upscalable mixing technologies are based on high shear mechanical mixing methods like closed compartment high shear mixers [13,14] and three roll mills [15,16]. The previously developed masterbatch mixing technology [17], used in this research, proved to be effective for the milling of the agglomerates, and for the efficient dispersion of the nanoparticles in both high and low viscosity thermoset resins.…”