Improving electrical and mechanical properties of a conductive nano adhesive

In this experimental study, lap shear strength and electrical conductivity of nanohybrid adhesives containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles were investigated. Ag nanoparticles were produced via arc-discharge method in liquid nitrogen. For characterizing the Ag nanoparticles, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. Tensile lap shear properties were determined in accordance with ASTM D 1002-10 standard. Mechanical and the electrical properties of nanohybrid adhesives were compared with neat epoxy adhesive. The best electrical conductivity of nanohybrid adhesive was obtained for the 1% wt MWCNT-2% wt Ag-contained sample. However, the samples which contain 0.5% wt. MWCNT–0.5% wt. Ag nanoparticles reached the highest lap shear strength. The results showed that Ag nanoparticles enhance the conductivity in the presence of MWCNT. It is concluded that the MWCNT act as conductivity bridges among epoxy adhesive and facilitate the electron transfer. As seen in the tensile test results, the ductility of the adhesive was improved by adding the nanoparticles in to the epoxy resin.