Thiokol oligomer functionalized MWCNTs for epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract

<jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Purpose</jats:title> <jats:p>This paper aims to feature preparation and characterization of thiokol oligomer functionalized MWCNTs/epoxy nanocomposites using low molecular weight polyamide as curing agent.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Design/methodology/approach</jats:title> <jats:p>First, thiokol oligomer functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNTs-TO) were prepared through hydroxylation, silanization and graft modification of MWCNTs. The nanocomposite specimens were fabricated through sonication and cast moulding process. The authors then investigated the impact of MWCNTs-TO content on mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Findings</jats:title> <jats:p>MWCNTs-TO with grafting ratio of 17.5 Wt.% was synthesized and characterized with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscopy. The obtained epoxy nanocomposites exhibit improved mechanical properties and thermal stability with MWCNTs-TO added. Moreover, desirable results were obtained at 0.75 Wt.% of MWCNTs-TO loading: the young’s modulus, tensile, flexural and impact strength increased by 24.6,72.8,34.8 and 82.7%, respectively, compared to the neat epoxy. The improvement of mechanical properties is mainly attributed to enhanced interfacial interaction and dispersion between the covalent functionalized MWCNTs and epoxy matrix.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Research limitations/implications</jats:title> <jats:p>A flexible thiokol oligomer was successfully grafted onto MWCNTs via a mild route. Nanocomposites with excellent interfacial interaction and dispersion between MWCNTs-TO and the epoxy matrix have been successfully fabricated and investigated.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Practical implications</jats:title> <jats:p>This method provided a mild and practical approach to improve the performance of MWCNTs epoxy nanocomposites.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title content-type="abstract-subheading">Originality/value</jats:title> <jats:p>A flexible thiokol oligomer was successfully covalent grafted onto MWCNTs via a mild route. Nanocomposites with excellent interfacial interaction and dispersion between MWCNTs-TO and the epoxy matrix have been successfully fabricated and investigated.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Preparation and properties of CNTs loaded bisphenol F epoxy nanocomposites modified by noncovalent dispersant and nonionic surfactant

“…Compared with the pure NPEF‐170, it increased by 66.53% and 51.09%, respectively. This increase is also better than some previous studies on the enhancement of epoxy resins by MWCNTs 37–39 . Zhang et al 41 added two kinds of surface sizing MWCNTs (MWCNT‐Bege and MWCNT‐Buge) to the epoxy matrix.…”

“…Compared with the pure NPEF‐170, it increased by 84.12%, 50.89%, and 8.18%, respectively. The increase is better than that of amino‐functionalized MWCNTs (Kashyap et al), 37 thiol‐functionalized MWCNTs (Wang et al 38 and Chen et al), 39 and nanostructured hybrid of Mt‐MWCNTs (Zeng et al) 40 for the increase of tensile strength and modulus of epoxy resin matrix. In our previous study of bisphenol A epoxy nanocomposites loaded with treated‐CNTs, the tensile strength and modulus increased by 6.34% and 14.35%, respectively 31 .…”