Multiwall carbon nanotubes-based composites – mechanical characterization using the nanoindentation technique

Abstract

We report on mechanical properties of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)-polymer composites using the nanoindentation technique. The nanoindentation experiments conducted on thin films containing MWNTs revealed that the presence of nanotubes does not affect the nanomechanical properties of the composites. Even a layer-by-layer assembly of MWNTs with a high concentration and a homogeneous distribution of carbon nanotubes does not ensure reinforcement of the composites. For that reason, we synthesized and utilized carbon nanotubes with a silica shell. Nanohardness and Young's modulus have been found to increase strongly with increasing content of these nanotubes in the polymer matrix. The silica shell on the surface of a nanotube enhances its stiffness and rigidity. Our composites, at 4wt.% of the silica-coated MWNTs, display a maximum hardness of 12020MPa and a Young's modulus of 91GPa. These are, respectively, 2 and 3 times higher than those for the polymeric matrix.

Measuring the mechanical properties of polymer–carbon nanotube composites by artificial intelligence

“…Different methods have been proposed for the preparation of polymer/CNT nanocomposites, comprised of densification (Ma et al, 2010), spinning of coagulant, layer-by-layer deposition pulverization Latex technology, solution mixing (Baji et al, 2010;Cadek et al, 2002;Fung, 2007;Olek et al, 2005Olek et al, , 2006Wang et al, 2005;Wu et al, 2011;Yun et al, 2008), milling (Bakshi et al, 2007;Sreekanth and Kanagaraj, 2013), Melt blending (Kranenburg et al, 2009), and in situ polymerization (Bhandari, et al, 2012;Wang et al, 2013).…”