Recent Advances in Carbon-Nanotube-Based Epoxy Composites

In efforts to characterize and understand the properties and processing of phenylethynylterminated imide (LaRC PETI-5, simply referred to as PETI-5) oligomers and polymers as a high-temperature sizing material for carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites, PETI-5 imidization and thermal curing behaviors have been extensively investigated based on the phenylethynyl end-group reaction. These studies are reviewed here. In addition, the use of PETI-5 to enhance interfacial adhesion between carbon fibers and a bismaleimide (BMI) matrix, as well as the dynamic mechanical properties of carbon/BMI composites, are discussed. Reports on the thermal expansion behavior of intercalated graphite flake, and the effects of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (xGnP) on the properties of PETI-5 matrix composites are also reviewed. The dynamic mechanical and thermal properties and the electrical resistivity of xGnP/PETI-5 composites are characterized. The effect of liquid rubber amine-terminated poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile) (ATBN)-coated xGnP particles incorporated into epoxy resin on the toughness of xGnP/epoxy composites is examined in terms of its impact on Izod strength. This paper provides an extensive overview from fundamental studies on PETI-5 and xGnP, as well as applied studies on relevant composite materials.Key words: polyimide, exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets, carbon fiber, composite, properties Phenylethynyl-Terminated Imide PolymerPolyimides have been extensively used in the electronics industry [1] as coatings, films, or adhesives and also in composite applications [2] as a primary or secondary structural material. When incorporated with organic or inorganic fibers, including carbon fibers and glass fibers, they can potentially be applied as a sizing material for high-temperature uses. In advanced applications, one of the most desirable advantages of polyimides, especially the aromatic polyimides, is their excellent high-temperature performance. Their thermal characteristics, including high temperature stability and cure behavior, are critical to successful processing and to the final properties of the resulting polyimide. For aerospace and aircraft applications, advanced polymer materials must successfully maintain their properties at high service temperatures over a long exposure time [3][4][5].The important parameters influencing the heat resistance of a polymeric material are its glass transition temperature (T g ), melting point (T m ), thermal stability, and etc., which may depend on its thermal history. Accordingly, polymers that are used to fulfill such high temperature performance should exhibit a high T g or T m and have excellent thermal stability. Even though some polyimides meet the high temperature requirement, their uses have been limited due to processing difficulties, such as poor solubility in common solvents, the release of volatiles, brittleness, and high processing temperature [6,7].Aromatic polyimides, especially acetylene or ethynyl-terminated polyimides, have been extensiv...

Section: Dynamic Mechanical and Thermal Properties Of Peti-5/xgnp Commentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenylethynyl-terminated polyimide, exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets, and the composites: an overview

Cho

Drzal²

2016

“…The tensile strength of CNTs is 100 times greater than that of steel, and the electrical and thermal conductivities approach those of copper [27,28]. These unique properties make CNTs good candidates as fillers in different polymers and ceramics to realize desirable consumer products [29,30]. It has also been predicted that CNT-based field-effect transistors (FETs) will soon supplant their silicon-based analog counterparts [31].…”

Section: Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, the fourth valence electron remains free in each unit, and these free electrons are delocalized over all atoms and contribute to the electrical nature of CNTs. Thus, CNTs can be conducting or semi-conducting types depending on the type of chirality [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] Semiconducting SWNTs are usually in the form of p-type semiconductors [38]. MWNTs are composed of many tubes of SWNTs and therefore are not likely to be strictly one-dimensional conductors.…”

Section: Electronic Nature Of Cntsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon nanotubes-properties and applications: a review

Ibrahim¹

2013

370

122

The carbon nanotube (CNT) represents one of the most unique inventions in the field of nanotechnology. CNTs have been studied closely over the last two decades by many researchers around the world due to their great potential in different fields. CNTs are rolled graphene with SP 2 hybridization. The important aspects of CNTs are their light weight, small size with a high aspect ratio, good tensile strength, and good conducting characteristics, which make them useful as fillers in different materials such as polymers, metallic surfaces and ceramics. CNTs also have potential applications in the field of nanotechnology, nanomedicine, transistors, actuators, sensors, membranes, and capacitors. There are various techniques which can be used for the synthesis of CNTs. These include the arc-discharge method, chemical vaporize deposition (CVD), the laser ablation method, and the sol gel method. CNTs can be single-walled, double-walled and multi-walled. CNTs have unique mechanical, electrical and optical properties, all of which have been extensively studied. The present review is focused on the synthesis, functionalization, properties and applications of CNTs. The toxic effect of CNTs is also presented in a summarized form.

“…It consists of a modified lathe carrying a disc-shaped specimen on a mandrel with two pins pressed into creased surface contact area between the constituent phases [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. In recent decades, efforts have been directed towards the development of physical-mechanical or chemical processes to enhance the dispersion of CNTs in an epoxy matrix [25][26][27][28][29]. Physical methods involve breaking up agglomerates through calendaring, grinding, ball milling, high speed shearing, high-pressure homogenization, ultrasonication, a combination thereof [30,31], or chronoamperometry [32].…”

Section: Mechanical Characterizationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modifications of mechanical, thermal, and electrical characteristics of epoxy through dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in supercritical carbon dioxide

Zaidi¹,

Joshi²,

Kumar³

et al. 2013

A supercritical carbon dioxide (SCC) process of dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into epoxy resin has been developed to achieve MWCNT/epoxy composites (CECs) with improved mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. The synthesis of CECs has been executed at a MWCNT (phr) concentration ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 into epoxy resin (0.1 mol) at 1800 psi, 90°C, and 1500 rpm over 1 h followed by curing of the MWCNT/epoxy formulations with triethylene tetramine (15 phr). The effect of SCC treatment on the qualitative dispersion of MWCNTs at various concentrations into the epoxy has been investigated through spectra analyses and microscopy. The developed SCC assisted process provides a good dispersion of MWCNTs into the epoxy up to a MWCNT concentration of 0.2. The effects of SCC assisted dispersion at various concentrations of MWCNTs on modification of mechanical, thermal, dynamic mechanical thermal, and tribological properties and the electrical conductivity of CECs have been investigated.