Enhancement of tensile and thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites through chemical hybridization of carbon nanotubes and alumina

This paper presents the properties of epoxy nanocomposites, prepared using a synthesized hybrid carbon nanotube–alumina (CNT–Al₂O₃) filler, via chemical vapour deposition and a physically mixed CNT–Al₂O₃ filler, at various filler loadings (i.e., 1–5%). The tensile and thermal properties of both nanocomposites were investigated at different weight percentages of filler loading. The CNT–Al₂O₃ hybrid epoxy composites showed higher tensile and thermal properties than the CNT–Al₂O₃ physically mixed epoxy composites. This increase was associated with the homogenous dispersion of CNT–Al₂O₃ particle filler; as observed under a field emission scanning electron microscope. It was demonstrated that the CNT–Al₂O₃ hybrid epoxy composites are capable of increasing tensile strength by up to 30%, giving a tensile modulus of 39%, thermal conductivity of 20%, and a glass transition temperature value of 25%, when compared to a neat epoxy composite.     

Mechanical properties of carbon nanotube–alumina nanocomposites synthesized by chemical vapor deposition and spark plasma sintering

Carbon nanotubes–alumina (CNT–Al₂O₃) nanocomposites with variable CNT content were directly synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The as-grown CNT–Al₂O₃ mixture was densified by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1150 and 1450 °C. Vickers hardness of 9.98 GPa and fracture toughness of 4.7 MPam^1/2 were obtained for 7.39 wt.% CNT–Al₂O₃ nanocomposite. The addition of CNTs gives rise to 8.4% increase in hardness and 21.1% increase in toughness over that of the pure Al₂O₃. The optimum amount of CNTs is considered to be able to significantly enhance the mechanical property of ceramics in composites.     

Tailoring the tensile/compressive response of magnesium alloy ZK60A using Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles

ZK60A nanocomposites containing Al₂O₃ nanoparticle reinforcement were fabricated using solidification processing followed by hot extrusion and T5 heat treatment. Agglomeration of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles was observed in the nanocomposites. However, in the case of ZK60A/1.0 vol%Al₂O₃ nanocomposite (compared to monolithic ZK60A), increase in tensile strength (up to 14%) without significant decrease in ductility and simultaneous increase in compressive strength (up to 12%) and ductility (+23%) were observed. Here, the strength of ZK60A was increased without significant decrease in ductility. On the other hand, in the case of ZK60A/1.5 vol%Al₂O₃ nanocomposite (compared to monolithic ZK60A), simultaneous increase in tensile strength (up to 6%) and ductility (+26%), but decrease in compressive strength (up to 40%) with increase in ductility (+43%) were observed. Here, the ductility of ZK60A was significantly increased without significant increase in strength. This tailoring of tensile and compressive properties of ZK60A via integration with Al₂O₃ nanoparticles are investigated in this article.     

Nanoparticle interactions with the magnesium alloy matrix during physical deformation: Tougher nanocomposites

This study is aimed at understanding the toughness enhancing function of nanoparticles in magnesium nanocomposites, focussing on experimentally observed nanoparticle–matrix interactions during physical deformation. Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were selected for reinforcement purposes due to the well known affinity between magnesium and oxygen. AZ31/AZ91 (hybrid alloy) and ZK60A magnesium alloys were reinforced with Al₂O₃ nanoparticles using solidification processing followed by hot extrusion. In tension, each nanocomposite exhibited higher ultimate strength and ductility than the corresponding monolithic alloy. However, the increase in ductility exhibited by ZK60A/Al₂O₃ (+170%) was significantly higher than that exhibited by AZ31/AZ91/Al₂O₃ (+99%). The previously unreported and novel formation of high strain zones (HSZs, from nanoparticle surfaces inclusive) during tensile deformation is highlighted here as a significant mechanism supporting ductility enhancement in ZK60A/Al₂O₃ (+170% enhanced) and AZ31/AZ91/Al₂O₃ (+99% enhanced) nanocomposites. Also, ZK60A/Al₂O₃ exhibited lower and higher compressive strength and ductility (respectively) compared to ZK60A while AZ31/AZ91/Al₂O₃ exhibited higher and unchanged compressive strength and ductility (respectively) compared to AZ31/AZ91. Here, the previously unreported nanograin formation (recrystallization) during room temperature compressive deformation as a toughening mechanism in relation to nanoparticle stimulated nucleation (NSN) ability is also highlighted.     

Determining the effect of flake matrix size and Al2O3 content on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al2O3 nanoparticle reinforced Al matrix composites

In this study, Al2024 matrix composites reinforced with Al₂O₃ nanoparticle contents ranging from 1 to 5?wt% were produced via a new method called as flake powder metallurgy (FPM). The effect of flake size and Al₂O₃ nanoparticle content on the reinforcement distribution, microstructure, physical, and mechanical properties of the composites were studied. SEM analysis was performed to investigate the microstructure of metal matrix and the distribution of nanoparticles. The hot-pressed density increased with decreasing the matrix size. The hardness of the Al2024–Al₂O₃ nanocomposites fabricated by using fine matrix powders increased as compared to the Al2024–Al₂O₃ nanocomposites produced by using coarse matrix powders. It has been found that the FPM method proposed in this study revealed to be an effective method for the production of nanoparticle reinforced metal matrix composites.     

Fracture behavior and optical properties of melt compounded semi-transparent polycarbonate (PC)/alumina nanocomposites

Low molecular weight (MW) poly(styrene-maleic anhydride) (SMA) copolymers was employed to coat spherical alumina (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles to facilitate dispersion in a polycarbonate (PC) matrix. Melt compounding was done using a high intensity thermokinetic mixer (K-mixer). The low MW SMA coating produced excellent dispersion of nanoparticles in the PC nanocomposites, resulting in fairly high light transmittance even through 2 mm thick specimens. The addition of 1 wt% well-dispersed nanoparticles improved the impact strength during brittle fracture of the PC/alumina nanocomposites through the formation of multi-level microcrazes induced by the nanoparticles. However, further increasing the alumina nanoparticle content altered the energy dissipation behavior, resulting in less effective reinforcement. Various fracture mechanisms affected by the alumina nanoparticles are presented together with the effect of thermal treatment on the PC/alumina nanocomposites.     

Fabrication of conductive porous alumina (CPA) structurally modified with carbon nanotubes (CNT)

A novel binary porous composite nano-carbon networks (NCNs)/alumina, which is denoted as electrically conductive porous alumina (CPA), was structurally modified by carbon nanotubes (CNT) pre-treated with mixed concentrated acids at 60 °C for 6 h in this study. This conductive ceramics (CCs) was fabricated by combination of gelcasting and high temperature reductive sintering (HTRS) in novel atmosphere. CNT pre-treatment leading to the increased hydrophilicity makes it possible to make uniformly dispersed CNT/alumina slurry. And by HTRS in Ar at 1700 °C for 2 h, well-gelled polymer net-paths in green body prepared by gelcasting technology were totally converted to nano-carbon networks (NCNs) without destruction of CNT. NCN with graphitic crystal structure was evaluated by Raman spectroscopy in sintered ceramic body. Moreover, comparing with as-received CNT, the decreased surface defect of detected composite also supported the further graphitization of CNT via HTRS in Ar instead of burning out. With the aid of field-emission scanning electronic microscopy (FE-SEM) observation, the increased alumina grains in sintered ceramic body CNT/NCN/alumina was valid. Moreover, it was demonstrated that there were three components in this composite, which is carbon filler with two different forms (CNT and NCN) and alumina matrix. And these three components CNT covered with Al₂O₃ particles (Al₂O₃/CNT), NCN and alumina grains (alumina) co-exist in four different situations as follows: (a) Al₂O₃/CNT–alumina co-junction, (b) Al₂O₃/CNT–NCN co-junction, (c) Al₂O₃/CNT–alumina–NCN and (d) Al₂O₃/CNT mesh between alumina boundaries. Furthermore, by comparing with binary composite NCN/alumina (CPA), the increased flexural strength of ternary composite CNT/NCN/alumina (CNT/CPA) up to 38 MPa was attributed to the reinforcement CNT acting as elastic bridge in composite.     

The influence of zinc oxide–cerium oxide nanoparticles on the structural characteristics and electrical properties of polyvinyl alcohol films

With the objective to investigate the influence of zinc oxide–cerium oxide (ZnO–Ce₂O₃) nanoparticles on the electrical properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), PVA/ZnO–Ce₂O₃ nanocomposite films were prepared by solution intercalation method with different weight percentage viz., 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0?wt% of ZnO–Ce₂O₃ nanoparticles. The fabricated nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effect of ZnO–Ce₂O₃ nanoparticles on the dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″), electric modulus (M′ and M″), ac conductivity (σ _ac), and dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) over a range of frequencies at room temperature of PVA nanocomposites have been studied. FT-IR, XRD, and DSC analysis indicates the nature of ZnO–Ce₂O₃ nanoparticles interaction with the PVA matrix. The morphological behavior of the nanocomposites has been performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The dielectric behaviors such as dielectric constant (ε′) and dielectric loss (ε″) increases with increase in nanoparticle concentration, but decreases with increase in frequency. But, the electric modulus (M′) increases with increase in frequency. Dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) decreases with increase in filler content at lower frequency, but at higher frequencies the tan δ increases with increase in nanoparticles content. AC conductivity (σ _ac) of PVA/ZnO–Ce₂O₃ nanocomposites increases with increasing frequency following the universal dielectric response law.     

Synthesis of carbon nanotube,graphene, CoFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>, and NiFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> polypyrrole nanocomposites and study their microwave absorption

In this experimental work, different conductive polymer nanocomposites were synthesized using polypyrrole as conductive polymer and CoFe₂O₄, NiFe₂O₄, CNT and graphene as fillers. X-ray diffraction pattern was used to study the crystallinity of the products and it was found CoFe₂O₄, NiFe₂O₄, CNT, and graphene were successfully embedded in the polymer matrix. To further approve the synthesis of the nanocomposites, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was served. Surface groups of the synthesized nanocomposites were studied by Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The morphology of the products was examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was found the fillers were successfully embedded in the polymer matrix and they were in nanometer scales. To investigate the magnetic properties and conductivity of the polymer nanocomposites, alternating gradient force magnetometer and four-point probe were used, respectively. Finally, the microwave absorption properties of the polymer nanocomposites were studied and it was found the fillers have different effects on the polymer microwave absorption value.     

Effects of interphase on tensile strength of polymer/CNT nanocomposites by Kelly–Tyson theory

The micromechanics models for composites usually underpredict the tensile strength of polymer nanocomposites. This paper establishes a simple model based on Kelly–Tyson theory for tensile strength of polymer/CNT nanocomposites assuming the effect of interphase between polymer and CNT. In addition, Pukanszky model is joined with the suggested model to calculate the interfacial shear strength (τ), interphase strength (σ_i) and critical length of CNT (L_c).The proposed approach is applied to calculate τ, σ_i and L_c for various samples from recent literature. It is revealed that the experimental data are well fitted to calculations by new model which confirm the important effect of interphase on the properties of nanocomposites. Moreover, the derived equations demonstrate that dissimilar correlations are found between τ and B (from Pukanszky model) as well as L_c and B. It is shown that a large B value obtained by strong interfacial adhesion between polymer and CNT is adequate to reduce L_c in polymer/CNT nanocomposites.     

The influence of nano/micro hybrid structure on the mechanical and self-sensing properties of carbon nanotube-microparticle reinforced epoxy matrix composite

Nano/micrometer hybrids are prepared by chemical vapor deposition growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on SiC, Al₂O₃ and graphene nanoplatelet (GNP). The mechanical and self-sensing behaviors of the hybrids reinforced epoxy composites are found to be highly dependent on CNT aspect ratio (AR), organization and substrates. The CNT–GNP hybrids exhibit the most significant reinforcing effectiveness, among the three hybrids with AR1200. During tensile loading, the in situ electrical resistance of the CNT–GNP/epoxy and the CNT–SiC/epoxy composites gradually increases to a maximum value and then decreases, which is remarkably different from the monotonic increase in the CNT–Al₂O₃/epoxy composites. However, the CNT–Al₂O₃ with increased AR ⩾ 2000 endows the similar resistance change as the other two hybrids. Besides, when AR < 3200, the tensile modulus and strength of the CNT–Al₂O₃/epoxy composites gradually increase with AR. The interrelationship between the hybrid structure and the mechanical and self-sensing behaviors of the composites are analyzed.     

Effect of surfactant treatment on thermal stability and mechanical properties of CNT/polybenzoxazine nanocomposites

The mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of polybenzoxazine nanocomposites containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) functionalized with surfactant are studied. The results are specifically compared with the corresponding properties of epoxy-based nanocomposites. The CNTs bring about significant improvements in flexural strength, flexural modulus, storage modulus and glass transition temperature, T_g, of CNT/polybenzoxazine nanocomposites at the expense of impact fracture toughness. The surfactant treatment has a beneficial effect on the improvement of these properties, except the impact toughness, through enhanced CNT dispersion and interfacial interaction. The former four properties are in general higher for the CNT/polybenzoxazine nanocomposites than the epoxy counterparts, and vice versa for the impact toughness. The addition of CNTs has an ameliorating effect of lowering the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of polybenzoxazine nanocomposites in both the regions below and above T_g, whereas the reverse is true for the epoxy nanocomposites. This observation has a particular implication of exploiting the CNT/polybenzoxazine nanocomposites in applications requiring low shrinkage and accurate dimensional control.     

Enhanced antibacterial activity and mechanism studies of Ag/Bi2O3 nanocomposites

In this work, sphere-like Ag/Bi₂O₃ nanocomposites with the average size of ca. 170?nm were successfully synthesized by simple deposition-precipitation method. The antibacterial activities of as-prepared Ag/Bi₂O₃ nanocomposites were evaluated by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) and colony counting methods. It was found that Ag/Bi₂O₃ nanocomposites displayed greatly improved antibacterial ability against common pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in comparison with single-component Bi₂O₃ nanospheres. More importantly, Ag/Bi₂O₃ nanocomposites exhibited remarkably outstanding antibacterial activities against clinical drug-resistant bacteria. The antibacterial activity of Ag/Bi₂O₃ nanocomposite increased with the increase of Ag content and 15?wt% Ag/Bi₂O₃ nanocomposites showed the highest antibacterial activity. Furthermore, a plausible antibacterial mechanism of Ag/Bi₂O₃ nanocomposite was proposed. It was believed that the enhanced generation of H₂O₂ could lead to the membrane leakage of cytosol and the inactivation of respiratory chain dehydrogenaes, which was possibly responsible for the enhanced antibacterial activities of nanocomposites.     

High‐Performance Two‐Ply Yarn Supercapacitors Based on Carbon Nanotube Yarns Dotted with Co3O4 and NiO Nanoparticles

Yarn supercapacitors are promising power sources for flexible electronic applications that require conventional fabric‐like durability and wearer comfort. Carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn is an attractive choice for constructing yarn supercapacitors used in wearable textiles because of its high strength and flexibility. However, low capacitance and energy density limits the use of pure CNT yarn in wearable high‐energy density devices. Here, transitional metal oxide pseudocapacitive materials NiO and Co₃O₄ are deposited on as‐spun CNT yarn surface using a simple electrodeposition process. The Co₃O₄ deposited on the CNT yarn surface forms a uniform hybridized CNT@Co₃O₄ layer. The two‐ply supercapacitors formed from the CNT@Co₃O₄ composite yarns display excellent electrochemical properties with very high capacitance of 52.6 mF cm^?2 and energy density of 1.10 μWh cm^?2. The high performance two‐ply CNT@Co₃O₄ yarn supercapacitors are mechanically and electrochemically robust to meet the high performance requirements of power sources for wearable electronics.     

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes-supported Fe(naph)3 nanoparticles to prepare polyacetylene/multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a promising candidate for preparing conductive polymer/CNT nanocomposites. CNTs are also an alternative to conventional catalyst support. This report studies multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) supported-Fe(naph)₃ nanoparticles to prepare polyacetylene (PA)/MWNT nanocomposites with core–shell structure. The XPS spectra and HRTEM images demonstrate the Fe(naph)₃ nanoparticles successfully deposited on the walls of MWNTs and partially transformed to γ-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles after heated at 100 °C for 2 h. XRD analysis indicates the formation of PA on the walls of MWNTs. Structural analysis using HRTEM shows that PA/MWNT nanocomposites exhibit core–shell structure. TGA data reveals the stability of PA grown on the exterior walls of MWNTs has been improved. The growth mechanism of PA/MWNT nanocomposites can be explained by a heterogeneous process. The conductivity of the nanocomposites was studied by a four-probe approach and a relatively high conductivity was observed.     

Superparamagnetic cobalt-ferrite-modified carbon nanotubes using a facile method

Cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄)/carbon nanotube (CNT) magnetic nanocomposites were synthesized by a facile solvothermal method. X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), High-resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM) analyses demonstrate that cubic CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were immobilized on the external surfaces of the CNTs. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) measurements indicated that the nanocomposites at room temperature were superparamagnetic with a saturation magnetization of 29.6 emu g^?1.     

Effect of magnetite bridged carbon nanotube/graphene networks on the properties of polyarylene ether nitrile

We report the fabrication and properties of polyarylene ether nitrile (PEN) nanocomposite with 3D carbon nanotubes/graphene sheets network (Fe₃O₄-CNT/GS) bridged by magnetite. The Fe₃O₄-CNT/GS is firstly fabricated by one-step solvothermal method after the synthesis of phthalonitrile functionalized CNT (CNT-CN) and GO (GO-CNT). Fe₃O₄-CNT/GS is characterized by XPS and XRD, while the 3D frame of it is confirmed by SEM observation. Then, the obtained Fe₃O₄-CNT/GS is introduced into phthalonitrile end-capped polyarylene ether nitrile (PEN-Ph) to prepare the composites by solution-mixing assembly and solution casting method. Finally, the obtained PEN based nanocomposites are further treated at 320 °C to improve the properties of the composites. To study the effect of Fe₃O₄-CNT/GS on the PEN-Ph, the micro-morphologies, mechanical, thermal and dielectric properties of the obtained (Fe₃O₄-CNT/GS)/PEN nanocomposites films are investigated. Besides, the influence of the Fe₃O₄-CNT/GS content and the heat-treatment on the properties of the PEN composites are also investigated. The results show that Fe₃O₄-CNT/GS can improve the dielectric properties and maintain good mechanical properties of PEN composite simultaneously.     

Magnetic ordering of ferric oxide within SiO2-based mesoporous materials

Nanostructural ferric oxide was encapsulated within one-dimensional (1-D) silicate mesoporous molecular materials, resulting in the formation of nanocomposites. The resulting nanocomposites were characterized by UV-vis, IR, TEM, EPR and X-ray diffraction. The occluded Fe₂O₃ nanostructures were found to evince optical spectra and magnetic properties that were significantly different from that of bulk Fe₂O₃. EPR measurements indicate that the various nanocomposites (whose dimensions were controllable by the pore sizes of the silicate materials), when sufficiently loaded with small Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, possess nonzero absorptions at zero applied magnetic field, as well as significant microwave absorption capacities as a function of applied magnetic field strength.     

Study on the effects of nanoparticulates of SiC,Al2O3, and ZnO on the mechanical and tribological performance of epoxy-based nanocomposites

In this research work, mechanical and tribological characteristics of ortho cresol novalac epoxy (OCNE)-based nanocomposites filled with nanoparticulates of SiC, Al₂O_3, and ZnO have been investigated. Also, in these investigations, the influence of wear parameters such as applied normal load, sliding velocity, filler contents, and sliding distance have been explored. The experimental plan for four factors at three levels using face centered composite design (CCD) has been employed by the response surface methodology (RSM) technique. The friction and wear tests were carried out using a pin on disc wear test apparatus under dry sliding conditions. The hardness and flexural strength of nano ortho cresol novalac epoxy composites filled with nano (SiC, Al₂O_3, and ZnO) particulates increases with an increase in the filler contents. Whereas, the tensile strength of these nanocomposites increases with an increase in the filler contents from 1 to 2 wt%, and with a further increase in filler contents the tensile strength decreases. The results of the study also showed that (2 wt%) filler contents bring superior mechanical and tribological properties. The lowest coefficient of friction and specific wear rate were found with nano Al₂O₃-filled composites. Also, the wear mechanisms of these nanocomposites were studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an EDS analyzer.     

CoNi2S4 Nanoparticle/Carbon Nanotube Sponge Cathode with Ultrahigh Capacitance for Highly Compressible Asymmetric Supercapacitor

Compared with other flexible energy‐storage devices, the design and construction of the compressible energy‐storage devices face more difficulty because they must accommodate large strain and shape deformations. In the present work, CoNi₂S₄ nanoparticles/3D porous carbon nanotube (CNT) sponge cathode with highly compressible property and excellent capacitance is prepared by electrodepositing CoNi₂S₄ on CNT sponge, in which CoNi₂S₄ nanoparticles with size among 10–15 nm are uniformly anchored on CNT, causing the cathode to show a high compression property and gives high specific capacitance of 1530 F g⁻¹. Meanwhile, Fe₂O₃/CNT sponge anode with specific capacitance of 460 F g⁻¹ in a prolonged voltage window is also prepared by electrodepositing Fe₂O₃ nanosheets on CNT sponge. An asymmetric supercapacitor (CoNi₂S₄/CNT//Fe₂O₃/CNT) is assembled by using CoNi₂S₄/CNT sponge as positive electrode and Fe₂O₃/CNT sponge as negative electrode in 2 m KOH solution. It exhibits excellent energy density of up to 50 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 847 W kg⁻¹ and excellent cycling stability at high compression. Even at a strain of 85%, about 75% of the initial capacitance is retained after 10 000 consecutive cycles. The CoNi₂S₄/CNT//Fe₂O₃/CNT device is a promising candidate for flexible energy devices due to its excellent compressibility and high energy density.