1. Department of Chemistry, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA;2. Department of Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA
Abstract:
In this study, the synergistic effect of functionalized carbon nanotubes (fCNT) and micron‐sized rubber particles in improving the thermomechanical properties of epoxy resin is demonstrated. fCNT is mixed with carboxyl‐terminated butadiene acrylonitrile toughened epoxy (CTBNTE) by ultrasonication followed by the addition of curing agent and mixing with planetary shear mixer. A significant improvement is noticed in fracture toughness (≈ 200%) and thermal stability (≈ 12 °C) of fCNT‐filled CTBNTE system but only a marginal improvement in fracture toughness and thermal stability of pristine CNT‐filled CTBNTE relative to epoxy. Dispersion of fCNT is better than pristine CNT in the epoxy matrix. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of fractured surface of fCNT‐filled CTBNTE reveal plastic deformation zone, stress whitening, and overall rougher surface compared to pristine CNT‐filled CTBNTE. The findings of our work show promise for use of fCNT in conjunction with a rubber toughener as filler for improving the properties of epoxy resin for advanced structural applications.
