Effects of silane modification and temperature on tensile and fractural behaviors of carbon nanotube/epoxy nanocomposites

We investigated the effects of carbon nanotube (CNT) functionalization with silanes and temperature on the tensile and fractural characteristics of CNT/epoxy nanocomposites. Three groups of nanocomposites were fabricated using unmodified, oxidized and silanized CNTs, each at 0.1 wt%. Tensile and fractural tests were performed using the three nanocomposite samples at -30 degrees C, 20 degrees C, and 45 degrees C. Results showed that the tensile strength of silanized samples at -30 degrees C was about 89% and 241% higher, respectively, than at 20 degrees C and 45 degrees C. The elastic modulus of silanized CNT nanocomposite at -30 degrees C was about 52% and 871% higher, respectively, than at 20 degrees C and 45 degrees C. The fracture toughness of silanized samples was higher than those of unmodified and oxidized samples at all temperatures. However, fracture toughness decreased with decreasing temperature. Specifically, fracture toughness of silanized nanocomposites at -30 degrees C was about 76% and 117% lower, respectively, than those at 20 degrees C and 45 degrees C.     

The effect of carbon nanotube dimensions and dispersion on the fatigue behavior of epoxy nanocomposites

Fatigue is one of the primary reasons for failure in structural materials. It has been demonstrated that carbon nanotubes can suppress fatigue in polymer composites via crack-bridging and a frictional pull-out mechanism. However, a detailed study of the effects of nanotube dimensions and dispersion on the fatigue behavior of nanocomposites has not been performed. In this work, we show the strong effect of carbon nanotube dimensions (i.e.?length, diameter) and dispersion quality on fatigue crack growth suppression in epoxy nanocomposites. We observe that the fatigue crack growth rates can be significantly reduced by (1) reducing the nanotube diameter, (2) increasing the nanotube length and (3) improving the nanotube dispersion. We qualitatively explain these observations by using a fracture mechanics model based on crack-bridging and pull-out of the nanotubes. By optimizing the above parameters (tube length, diameter and dispersion) we demonstrate an over 20-fold reduction in the fatigue crack propagation rate for the nanocomposite epoxy compared to the baseline (unfilled) epoxy.     

Stability and thermal conductivity enhancement of carbon nanotube nanofluid using gum arabic

This experimental study reports on the stability and thermal conductivity enhancement of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanofluids with and without gum arabic (GA). The stability of CNT in the presence of GA dispersant in water is systematically investigated by taking into account the combined effect of various parameters, such as sonication time, temperature, dispersant and particle concentration. The concentrations of CNT and GA have been varied from 0.01 to 0.1?wt% and from 0.25 to 5?wt%, respectively, and the sonication time has been varied in between 1 and 24?h. The stability of nanofluid is measured in terms of CNT concentration as a function of sediment time using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Thermal conductivity of CNT nanofluids is measured using KD-2 prothermal conductivity meter from 25 to 60°C. Optimum GA concentration is obtained for the entire range of CNT concentration and 1–2.5?wt% of GA is found to be sufficient to stabilise all CNT range in water. Rapid sedimentation of CNTs is observed at higher GA concentration and sonication time. CNT in aqueous suspensions show strong tendency to aggregation and networking into clusters. Stability and thermal conductivity enhancement of CNT nanofluids have been presented to provide a heat transport medium capable of achieving high heat conductivity. Increase in CNT concentrations resulted in the non-linear thermal conductivity enhancement. More than 100–250% enhancement in thermal conductivity is observed for the range of CNT concentration and temperature.     

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.     

The matrix stiffness role on tensile and thermal properties of carbon nanotubes/epoxy composites

In this study, randomly oriented single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)/epoxy nanocomposites were fabricated by tip sonication with the aid of a solvent and subsequent casting. Two different curing cycles were used to study the role of the stiffness of the epoxy matrix on the tensile and thermal behavior of the composites. The addition of a small amount of SWCNTs (0.25 wt.%) in rubbery, i.e., soft matrices, greatly increased Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the nanocomposites. The results showed that the tensile properties of soft epoxy matrices are much more influenced by the addition of carbon nanotubes than stiffer ones. The significant improvement in tensile properties was attributed to the excellent mechanical properties and structure of SWCNTs, an adequate dispersion of SWCNTs by tip sonication, and a stronger SWCNT/matrix interfacial adhesion in softer epoxy matrices. A slight improvement in the thermal stability of the nanocomposites was also observed.     

Improving the mechanical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube/epoxy nanocomposites using polymerization in a stirring plasma system

Uniform treatment of multiwalled carbon nanotubes by plasma treatment has been investigated using a custom-built stirring plasma system. A thin plasma polymer with high levels of amine groups has been deposited on MWCNTs using a combination of continuous wave and pulsed plasma polymerization of heptylamine in the stirring plasma system. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the plasma polymerization improved the dispersion and interfacial bonding of the MWCNTs with an epoxy resin at loadings of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 wt%. The flexural and thermal mechanical properties of plasma polymerized MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites were also significantly improved while untreated MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites showed an opposite trend. The epoxy with 0.5 wt% plasma polymerized MWCNTs had the greatest increase in flexural properties, with the flexural modulus, flexural strength and toughness increasing by about 22%, 17% and 70%, respectively.     

Effects of carbon nanotube alignment on electrical and mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites

This paper reports the alignment of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in an epoxy matrix as a result of DC electric fields applied during composite curing. Optical microscopy and polarized Raman spectroscopy are used to confirm the CNT alignment. The alignment of CNTs gives rise to much improved electrical conductivity, elastic modulus and quasi-static fracture toughness compared to those with CNTs of random orientation. An extraordinarily low electrical percolation threshold of about 0.0031 vol% is achieved when measured along the alignment, which is more than one order of magnitude lower than 0.034 vol% with random orientation or that measured perpendicular to the aligned CNTs. The examination of the fracture surfaces identifies pertinent toughening mechanisms in aligned CNT composites, namely crack tip deflection and CNT pullout. The significance of this paper is that the technique employed here can tailor the physical, mechanical and fracture properties of bulk nanocomposites even at a very low CNT concentration.     

Stress concentration effect on the fatigue properties of carbon nanotube/epoxy composites

This study experimentally investigates the stress concentration effect on the fatigue properties of multi-walled nanotube (MWCNT)/epoxy nanocomposites by employing the dumbbell type specimens with central through-hole notches. Both the hole sizes and the CNT contents are considered as the experimental variables. The experimental results show that the fatigue strengths of the notched nanocomposites decrease with an increase in hole sizes. The notch sensitivity factors increase with the notch root radii and the ultimate strengths of the nanocomposite specimens. This study employed a mathematical model to relate the notch sensitivity with the hole size and a material constant, and this employed material constant was found to depend on the ultimate strength rather than the CNT contents of the nanocomposites.     

Thermo-physical properties of epoxy nanocomposites reinforced with amino-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with amine groups was investigated by FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and XPS after such steps as carboxylation, acylation and amidation. Nanotube-reinforced epoxy polymer composites were prepared by mixing amino-functionalized MWNTs with epoxy resin and curing agent. DSC, TGA, SEM and flexural test were used to investigate the thermal and mechanical properties of the composites. The results showed that amino-functionalized MWNTs could enhance the interfacial adhesion between the nanotubes and the matrix, thus greatly improve the thermal and mechanical properties of the resin epoxy bulk material.     

Enhanced dispersion of carbon nanotubes in hyperbranched polyurethane and properties of nanocomposites

Hyperbranched polyurethane (HBPU) nanocomposites with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by in?situ polymerization on the basis of poly(ε-caprolactone)diol as the soft segment, 4,4'-methylene bis(phenylisocyanate) as the hard segment, and castor oil as the multifunctional group for the hyperbranched structure. A dominant improvement in the dispersion of MWNTs in the HBPU matrix was found, and good solubility of HBPU-MWNT nanocomposites in organic solvents was shown. Due to the well-dispersed MWNTs, the nanocomposites resulted in achieving excellent shape memory properties as well as enhanced mechanical properties compared to pure HBPU.     

Direction sensitive bending sensors based on multi-wall carbon nanotube/epoxy nanocomposites

In the present work, a direction sensitive bending strain sensor consisting of a single block of epoxy/multi-wall carbon nanotube composite was developed. Moreover, the manufacturing could be realized in a straightforward single-step processing route. The directional sensitivity to bending deformations is related to the change in electrical resistance, which becomes positive or negative, depending on the direction of bending deflection. This effect is achieved by generating a gradient in electrical conductivity throughout the material. The resistance versus strain behaviour of these devices is investigated in detail and related to the microstructure of the nanocomposites.     

Studies on preparation and properties of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)/epoxy nanocomposites

The MWNTs were coated with polyaniline (PANI) by in situ chemical oxidation polymerization method. FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that the MWNTs were coated with PANI. The MWNTs/epoxy nanocomposites were fabricated by using the solution blending method. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile testing, HP 4294A impedance analyzer and SEM were used to investigate the properties of the nanocomposites. The results showed that the modified carbon nanotubes were well dispersed in the polymer matrix. The nanocomposites have enhancements in mechanical, thermal and dielectric properties compare with the neat epoxy resin. The nanocomposites were proven to be a good polymer dielectric material.     

Mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites reinforced with amino-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with amino groups were prepared after such steps as oxidation, the addition of carboxyalkyl radicals, acylation and amidation. Besides oxidated-MWNTs/epoxy nanocomposites, amino-functionalized MWNTs/epoxy nanocomposites, in which MWNTs with amino groups acted as a curing agent and covalently attached into the epoxy matrix, were fabricated. Subsequently, the effects of MWNT content on the mechanical and thermal properties for the two systems were investigated. It is found that both the tensile strength and impact strength enhance with the increase of MWNT addition, and the most significant improvement of the tensile strength (+51%) and especially impact strength (+93%) is obtained with amine-treated MWNTs at an 1.5 wt.% content. Moreover, the thermal stability of the nanocomposites also distinctly improves. The improvement of the properties of the amine-treated MWNTs system is more remarkable than those of o-MWNTs system. The reasons for these changes were discussed.     

Characterizing elastic properties of carbon nanotubes/polyimide nanocomposites using multi-scale simulation

This research is aimed at characterizing the elastic properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced polyimide nanocomposites using a multi-scale simulation approach. The hollow cylindrical molecular structures of CNTs were modeled as a transverse isotropic solid, the equivalent elastic properties of which were determined from the molecular mechanics calculations in conjunction with the energy equivalent concept. Subsequently, the molecular structures of the CNTs/polyimide nanocomposites were established through molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, from which the non-bonded gap as well as the non-bonded energy between the CNTs and the surrounding polyimide were evaluated. It was postulated that the normalized non-bonded energy (non-bonded energy divided by surface area of the CNTs) is correlated with the extent of the interfacial interaction. Afterwards, an effective interphase was introduced between the CNTs and polyimide polymer to characterize the degree of non-bonded interaction. The dimension of the interphase was assumed equal to the non-bonded gap, and the corresponding elastic stiffness was calculated from the normalized non-bonded energy. The elastic properties of the CNT nanocomposites were predicted by a three-phase micromechanical model in which the equivalent solid cylinder of CNTs, polyimide matrix, and the effective interphase were included. Results indicated that the longitudinal moduli of the nanocomposites obtained based on the three-phase model were in good agreement with those calculated from MD simulation. Moreover, they fit well with the conventional rule of mixture predictions. On the other hand, in the transverse direction, the three-phase model is superior to the conventional micromechanical model since it is capable of predicting the dependence of transverse modulus on the radii of nanotubes.     

Quantitative study of the dispersion degree in carbon nanofiber/polymer and carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposites

Quantitative measurements of the filler dispersion degree of carbon nanofiber (CNF) and nanotube (CNT) reinforced polymer nanocomposites have been made by transmission electron microscopy. Samples were prepared by either high-shear mixing or twin-screw extrusion processing. It was found that the filler dispersion degree was largely influenced by the filler size. As the filler dimension became smaller, the dispersion parameter D_0.1 largely decreased as quantified, which demonstrated the challenges associated with improving the dispersion of smaller fillers. This work provided a method to quantitatively compare the dispersion degrees of CNF/CNT polymer nanocomposites.     

改性碳纳米管/环氧树脂复合材料的介电性能

实验采用混酸法对碳纳米管(CNTs)表面进行改性,制得羧基化碳纳米管(C-CNTs)。采用溶胶-凝胶法制得SiO₂包覆的C-CNTs (C-CNTs@SiO₂)、TiO₂包覆的C-CNTs (C-CNTs@TiO₂),采用原位聚合法制得聚苯胺包覆的C-CNTs (C-CNTs@ PANI)。以环氧树脂(EP)为基体材料,通过溶液共混法制备出C-CNTs/EP、C-CNTs@SiO₂/EP、C-CNTs@TiO₂/EP和C-CNTs@PANI/EP四种复合材料。研究结果表明:当掺杂相的质量分数均为1 wt%时,四种EP基复合材料的冲击强度相对于未改性的环氧树脂均有不同程度的提高。当掺杂相质量分数为7 wt%时,C-CNTs/EP、C-CNTs@SiO₂/EP、C-CNTs@TiO₂/EP和C-CNTs@PANI/EP四种复合材料的介电常数分别是EP的14.1、7.2、2.5、18.8倍。在实验掺杂量下,C-CNTs@SiO₂/EP和C-CNTs@TiO₂/EP的介电损耗几乎没有变化,C-CNTs@PANI/EP的介电损耗略有增加。当掺杂相质量分数为1 wt%时,C-CNTs@SiO₂/EP和C-CNTs@TiO₂/EP的击穿强度相对于EP明显提高。      

Effect of amino-functionalization on the interfacial adhesion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/epoxy nanocomposites

Two types of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) functionalized with different amino-organics, dicyanodiamide and phenylbiguanide, respectively, were achieved in this paper. The physico-chemical properties of MWCNTs before and after amino group modification were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman spectroscopy and inverse gas chromatography (IGC). The results showed that amino-functionalization changed evidently the surface properties of MWCNTs, such as the dispersive surface energy (decreased from 122.95 mJ/m² to 18.65 mJ/m² and 25.69 mJ/m², respectively) and specific surface energy (decreased from 8.84 mJ/m² to 0.56 mJ/m² and 4.60 mJ/m², respectively) for two functionalized MWCNTs. And then, the interfacial adhesion states of the functionalized MWCNTs/epoxy nanocomposites were investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The results also indicated that the dispersion of MWCNTs in epoxy resin and the interfacial adhesion of MWCNTs/epoxy nanocomposites were both strongly dependent on the surface physico-chemical properties of functionalized MWCNTs, and the effect of MWCNTs functionalized by phenylbiguanide with slightly higher polarity was better.     

Mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube/epoxy composites

Untreated and acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were used to fabricate MWNT/epoxy composite samples by sonication technique. The effect of MWNT addition and their surface modification on the mechanical properties were investigated. Modified Halpin–Tasi equation was used to evaluate the Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the MWNT/epoxy composite samples by the incorporation of an orientation as well as an exponential shape factor in the equation. There was a good correlation between the experimentally obtained Young’s modulus and tensile strength values and the modified Halpin–Tsai theory. The fracture surfaces of MWNT/epoxy composite samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscope.     

Temperature effects on the fracture behavior and tensile properties of silane-treated clay/epoxy nanocomposites

We investigated the effects of clay silane treatment on the fracture behaviors of clay/epoxy nanocomposites by comparing the compliance, critical fracture load, and fracture toughness of silane-treated samples with those of untreated samples. The fracture toughnesses of untreated and silane-treated clay/epoxy nanocomposites were 8.52 J/m² and 15.55 J/m², respectively, corresponding to an 82% increase in fracture toughness after clay silane treatment. Tensile tests were performed at ?30 °C, 25 °C, 40 °C, and 70 °C. Tensile strength and elastic modulus were higher at ?30 °C than at 25 °C for both samples. However, the tensile properties decreased as temperature increased for both samples. In particular, at 70 °C, the tensile properties were less than 10% of the original value at room temperature, independent of surface treatment. The fracture and tensile properties of silane-treated clay/epoxy nanocomposites increased due to good dispersion of the clay in epoxy and improvement in interfacial adhesive strength between epoxy and clay layers.