The Effect of WS2 Nanotubes on the Properties of Epoxy-Based Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this paper we evaluated the effect of embedding inorganic nanotubes (INT) of tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ) in an epoxy matrix, on the mechanical, thermal and adhesion properties of the resulting nanocomposites. The nanotube content spanned a range of values (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 wt%), and the nanotube incorporation process consisted of a combination of both distributive (magnetic stirring) and dispersive (ultrasonic mixing) methods. The adhesion of the nanocomposites to an aluminum substrate was characterized by both a single lap shear and a T-peel test. The fracture toughness (K IC ) of the nanocomposites was characterized by a standard compact tension (CT) plane-strain fracture test. The thermal properties of the nanocomposites were determined by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Overall, the addition of INT-WS 2 was found to improve the shear strength and peel properties of the nanocomposite, and to significantly improve its fracture toughness and glass transition temperature. The extent and character of the nanotube-epoxy interaction were examined by electron microscopy, as was the energy dissipation mechanisms during fracture.

Nanocomposite biomaterials based on poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) and WS2 inorganic nanotubes

“…16 Taking advantage of their properties, advanced polymer/INT nanocomposites with different morphologies, such as epoxy/INT-WS 2 and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/INT-WS 2 nanobers have been successfully developed. 17,18 More speci-cally in the eld of biodegradable and renewable thermoplastics, we have recently demonstrated that the incorporation of INT-WS 2 offers new possibilities to improve the crystallization and mechanical performance of these polymers in order to compete with increasingly expensive petroleum based materials. 19,20 In particular, INT-WS 2 exhibited much more prominent nucleation activity on the crystallization of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) 19 and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) 20 than other specic nucleating agents or nano-sized llers (i.e.…”

Tungsten disulfide nanotubes reinforced biodegradable polymers for bone tissue engineering

“…Recently, inorganic nanomaterials such as tungsten disulfide nanotubes (WSNTs) and molybdenum disulfide nanoplatelets (MSNPs) have been used as reinforcing agents to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of epoxy composites, electrospun poly(methyl methacrylate) fibers, and biodegradable PPF nanocomposites [10, 16, 17]. WSNTs possess high mechanical properties (Young's modulus ≈ 150 GPa, bending modulus ≈ 217 GPa) [18, 19], functional groups (such as sulfide and oxy-sulfide), and can be readily dispersed in organic solvents, polymers, epoxy and resins [16].…”

Development of novel melt-processable biopolymer nanocomposites based on poly(l-lactic acid) and WS2 inorganic nanotubes

“…The moderate cost of such nanostructures has opened potential applications in catalysis, rechargeable batteries, drug delivery, solar cells and electronics and, more recently, in the field of polymer nanocomposites. 21 In this respect, WS 2 nanotubes (INT-WS 2 ) have been used as reinforcing agents to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of epoxy composites, 22 electrospun poly(methyl methacrylate) fibers 23 and poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) nanocomposites. 24 To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the preparation and characterization of biodegradable PLLA polymer nanocomposites based on environmentally friendly inorganic nanotubes (INT-WS 2 ).…”