Preparation of modified multi‐walled carbon nanotubes as a reinforcement for epoxy shape‐memory polymer composites

Abstract

Effectively improving the mechanical properties and thermal resistance of epoxy shape-memory polymers (ESMPs) without affecting their shape-memory performance is necessary to expand these polymers in practical applications. In this article, modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared and used as efficient reinforcement for enhancing the comprehensive properties of ESMPs. Increases of nearly 289% to 444% for impact strength and 112% to 184% for tensile force were obtained by adding only 0.1 to 1 wt% epoxy-modified MWCNTs. The addition of unmodified and carboxyl-modified MWCNTs was also investigated but showed less impact on the mechanical properties of the ESMPs than epoxy-modified MWCNTs. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) showed that less than 1 wt% modified MWCNTs can enhance the heat resistance of ESMPs greatly. Although the shape recovery time for composite materials increased upon adding the MWCNTs, the entire recovery time was still less than 1 minute, and the shape recovery rate was relatively high, nearly 100%.

Enhanced Thermal Stability, Mechanical Properties and Structural Integrity of MWCNT Filled Bamboo/Kenaf Hybrid Polymer Nanocomposites

“…The increase in Tg after incorporation of MWCNTs is attributed to the reinforcement effect, which tightens the whole network and hinders mobility of polymer chains, an indication of good adhesion between the MWCNTs, bamboo fibre, Kenaf fibre and the Epoxy matrix. Similar findings have been reported in other studies with the incorporation of MWCNTs as reinforcement filler [45,46].…”

“…Similar findings have been reported in other studies with the incorporation of MWCNTs as reinforcement filler [45,46]. was reinforced with Kenaf, bamboo and MWCNTs.…”

Developing non‐halogen and non‐phosphorous flame retardant bismaleimide resin with high thermal resistance and high toughness through building crosslinked network with Schiff base structure

“…Flexural loading contains multi-type loadings including tensile, shearing, and/or compressing loadings, so flexural property is often used to characterize the mechanical properties of thermosetting resins along with impact strength. [32][33][34] It is worth noting that the impact strengths of BP resin are not only higher than that of BD resin, but also comparable to the highest impact strength of halogen-free and phosphorus-free flame retardant bismaleimide resins (13-19 kJ/m 2 ) in SCI database. 11 The good toughness of BP resins can be also confirmed by the morphologies of the fracture surfaces of cured resins.…”

Surface modification and characterization of waste derived carbon particles to reinforce photo-cured shape memory composites

“…19 Functionalization of carbon materials has been reported for reduced shape recovery time in epoxy composites relating to type of functionality introduced. [20][21][22] The main focus of this research is to incorporate waste derived carbon particles into epoxy matrix for synthesis of SMMs. Moreover, carbon based epoxy composites are usually cured through heat, 20 which is a source of pollution.…”