Influence of carbon nanotube dispersion on the mechanical properties of phenolic resin composites

Abstract

Despite the much touted mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes, composites reinforced with nanotubes have failed to achieve mechanical properties which rival those present in conventional fiber reinforced polymer composites. This article describes an attempt to bridge this gap. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were synthesized using a chemical vapor deposition method and were dispersed in phenolic resin by both the wet and dry dispersion techniques before molding into composite bars (50 3 5 3 3 mm 3 ). Although no improvement in the mechanical properties of the MWCNT/phenolic composites was observed over the neat resin value when wet mixing dispersion was employed, an improvement of nearly 158% (160 MPa as compared with 62 MPa for neat resin) was achieved in 5 vol% MWCNT containing phenolic resin prepared by the dry mixing. POLYM. COMPOS.,

Growth of Carbon Nanofibers in Phenolic Resin for Carbon-Contained Refractory Using Different Catalysts

“…These active metals (Co, Ni, and Fe) can capture the gases (i.e., CH 4 and CO) produced in the pyrolysis process of phenolic resin at high temperature and catalytic crack the gases to form CNFs [15]. This reaction process can effectively improve char yield of PF.…”

Dispersing carbon nanotubes in phenolic resin using an aqueous solution

“…Because of its excellent ablative properties, structural integrity, thermal stability and solvent resistance, phenolic resins are still widely used, especially in thermal insulation materials, molding compounds, coatings and composite materials. [13][14][15] Our most important goal is the nanotube dispersion control by adjusting the CNT/phenolic resin interface. However, due to the strong van der Waals forces of single CNTs, this reinforcement tends to form bundles within production process.…”

Growth of carbon nanotube filaments on carbon fiber cloth by catalytic chemical vapor deposition

“…Incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into a polymer matrix can improve various properties including mechanical (Ruban et al 2013;Lubineau and Rahaman 2012;Mathur et al 2010Mathur et al , 2012Singh et al 2012a), electrical (Gupta et al 2013a, b;Pande et al 2009a, b;Singh et al 2011Singh et al , 2013a, thermal (Biercuk et al 2002;Shenogin et al 2004;Meenakshi and Sudhan 2011;Singh et al 2008) and biosensing properties (Dhand et al 2008;Singh et al 2012b). CNTs have excellent mechanical properties.…”