Mechanical Property Characterization of a Polymeric Nanocomposite Reinforced by Graphitic Nanofibers with Reactive Linkers

Abstract

Mechanical property characterization including bending, tensile, and fracture properties for a new functionalized nanofiber/epoxy composite were conducted. Results show that there was only very little increase in mechanical properties of nanocomposites although we used GCNF-ODA reactive linkers to improve the interface. The interfacial stress level of nanocomposites should be much higher than that of traditional composites because of high property mismatch between the nanoscale reinforcement and the matrix. In order to design strong and stiff nanocomposite materials, one should use aligned nanofibers with a relatively large volume or weight fraction. Also, the length of the nanofiber should be long enough and its diameter not very small in order to facilitate the interfacial load transfer mechanism.

Preparation of TiO2 epoxy nanocomposites by ultrasonic dispersion and resulting properties

“…5,6 However, most studies were carried out in aqueous solutions, 7 and there is only very few experiences for the ultrasonic dispersion of particles in highviscosity liquids such as epoxy resin. 8,9 As a consequence, the reported processing conditions reported by different researchers differ very much. Xu et al 9 observed that 5 min of ultrasonic dispersion of nanoscale graphite in epoxy resin lead to enhanced mechanical properties, whereas 20 min of sonication caused deterioration.…”

“…8,9 As a consequence, the reported processing conditions reported by different researchers differ very much. Xu et al 9 observed that 5 min of ultrasonic dispersion of nanoscale graphite in epoxy resin lead to enhanced mechanical properties, whereas 20 min of sonication caused deterioration. Similar results were reported by West and Malhotra,8 that is, the mechanical properties of Al 2 O 3 -epoxy nanocomposites increased after 5 min of ultrasonic dispersion, whereas only 10 min of sonication were sufficient to initiate degradation of the matrix, resulting in a decrease of the properties profile.…”

Titanate nanotubes for reinforcement of a poly(ethylene oxide)/chitosan polymer matrix

“…Recent advances in the synthesis of nanosized materials have further extended the range of suitable fillers for polymer matrices, with particular attention focused on fibrous nanomaterials, such as nanotubes [2] and nanofibers [3]. Carbon based elongated nanomaterials are the most popular additive to polymers [4,5], as well as the promising monolayered nanosheet-like counterpart graphene [ 6 , 7].…”

Effects of dispersion techniques of carbon nanofibers on the thermo-physical properties of epoxy nanocomposites

“…Due to the smooth surface of carbon nanofibers/nanotubes, lack of interfacial bonding limits load transfer from the matrix to the reinforcement [14,15]. Numerous efforts are being carried out to enhance the matrix-nanoreinforcement interactions [14][15][16][17] [14,18]. Also, different nature solvents were evaluated to produce stable dispersions of carbon nanofibers.…”