Synergy effect in hybrid nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets

Abstract

Hybrid nanocomposites reinforced with a mixture of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have shown improvement in filler dispersion while providing a cost-effective alternative to CNT monofiller composites. Depending on their composition, hybrid composites can exhibit electrical performance superior to either of the constituent monofiller composites due to synergistic effects. In this work, we develop a three-dimensional tunneling-based continuum percolation model for hybrid nanocomposites filled with hardcore particles of elliptical GNPs and cylindrical CNTs. Using Monte Carlo simulations, parametric studies of the filler content, composition and morphology are carried out to analyze the conditions required for synergy in percolation onset and electrical conductivity. Our results suggest that for hybrid systems with well-dispersed fillers, the electrical performance is linked to the number of tunneling junctions per filler inside the percolated network of the nanocomposites. More importantly, hybrid composites filled with specific morphology of GNP and CNT, exhibit synergy in their electrical performance when the monofiller composites of each of those exact fillers have similar percolation onset values. The simulations results are in agreement with relevant experimental data on hybrid nanocomposites.

Multiscale Modeling of Epoxy-Based Nanocomposites Reinforced with Functionalized and Non-Functionalized Graphene Nanoplatelets

“…For polymer matrix reinforced with microscale fibers; such as carbon fibers (CF) and fiberglass, an infinite aspect ratio is commonly used for the fiber unless it is chopped. However, for the nanoscale fillers or particles, such as graphene nanoplatelets and carbon nanotubes, the situation is different as these nanofillers are produced with a wide range of aspect ratios [39][40][41][42]. The reported results from experiments that have been conducted to capture the influence for particular carbon nanofiller sizes (aspect ratio) mostly refer to an improvement in the engineering properties of nanocomposites as the aspect ratio increases [41][42][43][44].…”

“…However, for the nanoscale fillers or particles, such as graphene nanoplatelets and carbon nanotubes, the situation is different as these nanofillers are produced with a wide range of aspect ratios [39][40][41][42]. The reported results from experiments that have been conducted to capture the influence for particular carbon nanofiller sizes (aspect ratio) mostly refer to an improvement in the engineering properties of nanocomposites as the aspect ratio increases [41][42][43][44]. Unfortunately, experimental techniques are infeasible and limited to investigating the role of aspect ratio in reinforcing polymer matrix with nanoscale fillers.…”

Hybrid Films Based on Bilayer Graphene and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Simulation of Atomic Structure and Study of Electrically Conductive Properties

“…In the last decade, the possibility of combining graphene and CNTs has attracted much attention from the research community in order to obtain new multifunctional hybrid materials with promising properties due to the synergistic effect caused by the interaction of nanostructures of various dimensions—1D nanotubes and 2D graphene [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. In addition, hybridization of graphene and CNTs will make it possible to avoid the agglomeration of individual CNTs and graphene sheets, which leads to a significant deterioration in the properties of the aforementioned carbon nanomaterials in a real experiment.…”

Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Model of M&A Synergy Based on Transfer Learning Graph Neural Network

“…He studied the mergers and acquisitions of companies in various industries during the years, and finally concluded that the positive wealth effect obtained by mergers and acquisitions comes from the synergy effect. Since financial indicators have made up for the shortcomings of the capital market to a certain extent, scholars have been currently using this method for analysis [ 17 – 21 ]. Sarala R M et al compared the four accounting indicators before and after the reorganization of the company.…”