Influence of carbon nanotubes on epoxy resin cure reaction using different techniques: A comprehensive review

Abstract

The results regarding the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the cure process of epoxy resin are widespread and contradictory. Therefore, this article aims to review the key studies on the effect of carbon nanotubes related to the curing process of epoxy resin, separating them according to analysis technique. Many articles have shown that nanocomposite homogeneity and medium viscosity have great influence on the cure process. Some of them have shown that heterogeneity and high viscosity slow down the epoxy resin cure, reducing the cure reaction heat. Furthermore, the presence of chemical groups such as amine and hydroxyl can catalyze this reaction, especially in the case of homogeneous composites. This review describes briefly and straightforwardly the value of using several techniques for studying and monitoring the nanocomposite cure, among them: DSC, rheometry, DMA, Raman, FT-IR, and luminescence spectroscopy. That importance is remarkably noticeable for studying a particular temporal reaction step, where a particular technique is more suitable than another. In this sense, one could say that luminescence spectroscopy is appropriate for studying the ending step of the cure reaction. Moreover, a great amount of information is also provided for supporting further research.

Thermal properties and non-isothermal curing kinetics of carbon nanotubes/ionic liquid/epoxy resin systems

“…Compared to the neat epoxy, the curing heat of CNTs/EP and CNTs/ILS/EP systems significantly decreased. The retardation effect caused by carbon nanotubes has also been observed by others [28]. It can be explained on account of steric hindrance arisen from very high specific surface area of MWCNTs [35].…”

“…In factor, the surface properties of CNTs and dispersion of CNTs in the matrix will influence the curing process of epoxy resin, and the final properties of the composite depend significantly on the curing conditions, so understanding the cure reaction is very important for the design and optimization of manufacturing nanocomposites [27]. The effect of different types of carbon nanotubes on the curing process of epoxy resin was shown in many articles, but the results are often conflicting due to the large number of variables that can influence the cure of this composite [28]. The curing kinetics of epoxy resins has been experimentally studied using many techniques.…”

The effect of graphene oxide and its oxidized debris on the cure chemistry and interphase structure of epoxy nanocomposites

“…Epoxy resins contain at least two terminal epoxide groups which can be cured by various types of curing agents such as diamines, anhydrides or isocyanates [21]. Amine curing process of epoxy generally involves three major reactions ie; 1 amine-epoxy, 2 amine-epoxy and hydroxyl-epoxy addition reactions as schematically shown in Fig.…”

Hybrid Nanocomposites Based on Epoxy/silsesquioxanes Matrices Reinforced with Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes

“…Nanocomposites between epoxy resins and carbon nanotubes (CNT) are well known 1,14,15 . The current interest on the use of nanometer reinforcement in polymeric matrixes is due to the ability of these fillers to provide potentially unique properties to the polymer material as a result of their nanometer dimension.…”