Superior thermomechanical and wetting properties of ultrasonic dual mode mixing assisted epoxy-CNT nanocomposites

Abstract

High-performance epoxy-carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites were prepared by simultaneous use of ultrasonication and mechanical stirring. The dynamic and static mechanical properties and wetting properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. The dynamic mechanical analysis presented significant enhancement in storage modulus (approximately 124%) and glass transition temperature (approximately 25.6%) of epoxy-CNT nanocomposite at an optimized concentration of the CNT (0.25 wt%) possibly due to the formation of a strong interface between the epoxy and CNT. The tensile test results showed the significant improvement in tensile strength (approximately 47%) and Young's modulus (approximately 40%) of the epoxy-CNT (0.25 wt%) nanocomposite without significantly affecting its stiffness. The homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in the epoxy matrix resulted in the significant enhancement in the dynamic and static mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. The hydrophilic character of the neat epoxy was tuned to a highly hydrophobic one by incorporation of CNTs in it. A direct relation between the average roughness of the tensile fracture surfaces and the contact angle of the nanocomposites was identified with respect to the concentration of the CNTs. These high-performance highly hydrophobic nanocomposites have the great potential to be used as the structural and functional materials in humid environments.

Synergistic effect of ultrasonically assisted exfoliated MWCNTs by ZrO2 nanoparticles on thermo-mechanical and anti-corrosive properties of epoxy nanocomposites

“…However, at higher loading of MWCNT (1.0 wt.%) and MWCNT-ZrO 2 (2.0 wt.%) nanofiller in EP adhesive, the contact angles (θ) reached 61° and 64°, respectively, which may be due to the agglomerations of MWCNTs in the EP adhesive. 42 The chemical treatment on mild steel substrate creates a large surface area with improved surface wettability so that the adhesive can completely penetrate inside the micro size cavities on the surface and provide higher strength to the adhesive joint. However, the adhesive joint strength is not only depends upon the large contact surface area but also depends upon the chemical interaction between the faying surfaces and the EP adhesive.

Figure 17.Contact angle (θ) of (a) neat EP, (b) MWCNT-EP (0.50 wt.%), and (c) MNC (2.0 wt.%) adhesive on mild steel surface.

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Superhydrophobic Coating Fabrication for Metal Protection Based on Electrodeposition Application: A Review

“…Carbon nanotube (CNTs) as a one-dimensional nanostructure material, since the 90s, has been widespread for composite technology [92]. This material is an excellent choice for composite coatings fabrication because of its chemical and physical characteristics, including high surface area, good lubricity, high hardness, and wear resistance.…”

Use of ultrasonic dual-mode mixing for graphene infusion to make hybrid GFRPs: Study on mechanical performance

“…Following the work, Ghosh et al 21 and Kumar et al 22 successfully dispersed CNTs into epoxy resins with improved mechanical and thermal properties. More recently, Goyat et al [23][24][25] also successfully dispersed CNTs 23 and TiO 2 nanoparticles 24,25 into epoxy resins using UDM techniques. However, per the best of the present authors' knowledge, though UDM has been successfully used to fabricate epoxy nanocomposites, these modified resin systems were not tried to fabricate hybrid laminated composites.…”

“…Moreover, they used solvents during the UDM process, which may degrade the epoxy property. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25] In view of the abovementioned discussion, the present author used a top-down approach via the UDM technique to disperse and exfoliate GNPs at different levels into the epoxy resin without using any kind of solvents prior to fabricating hybrid GFRP laminates. The UDM process parameters used here were optimized in our previous study.…”