Abstract
Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared by chemical vapour deposition and purified by thermal oxidation. The purified MWCNTs were functionalized by nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide processes, and subsequently, the MWCNTs were added in bisphenol-A epoxy to prepare 0.1% CNT- nanocomposites. Transmission electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, rheological and mechanical testing showed that the MWCNTs functionalized by hydrogen peroxide processes were comprehensively de-roped causing their better dispersion and curing of the epoxy, which consequently resulted in higher mechanical properties of the nanocomposite. During fractography of the fractured specimens, a transition of the fracture behaviour was observed; smooth brittle fracture with fissure-like features having parallel planes perpendicular to crack propagation (in neat epoxy specimens) is transformed into mixed type fracture comprising variable angle steps like and fish scale like features (in functionalized CNT and epoxy specimens), which is indicative of the improvement in the fracture toughness.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Joel R.F.: Polymer Science and Technology. Pearson education ltd, Singapore (2006)
Unger E., Graham A., Kreupl F., Liebau M., Hoenlein W.: Electrochemical functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes for solvation and purification. Curr. Appl. Phys. 2, 107–111 (2002)
Sun X.K., Zhao W.M.: Prediction of stiffness and strength of single-walled carbon nanotubes by molecular-mechanics based finite element approach. Mater. Sci. Eng. A 390, 366–371 (2005)
Jin A.K., Dong G.S., Tae J.K., Jae R.Y.: Effects of surface modification on rheological and mechanical properties of CNT/epoxy composites. Carbon 44, 1898–1905 (2006)
Chen Q., Dai L., Gao M., Huang S., Mau A.: Plasma activation of carbon nanotubes for chemical modification. J. Phys. Chem. B 105, 618–622 (2001)
Smrutisikha B.: Influence of dispersion states of carbon nanotubes on mechanical and electrical properties of epoxy nanocomposites. J. Sci. Ind. Res. 66(9), 752–756 (2007)
Nadia G., Joachim L., Lucas L., Maryse M., Ce’cile Z., Cor E., John H.: High-conductivity polymer nano-composites obtained by tailoring the characteristics of carbon nanotube fillers. Adv. Funct. Mater. 18, 3226–3234 (2008)
Sun Y.P., Fu K., Lin Y., Huqng W.: Functionalized carbon nanotubes: properties and applications. Acc. Chem. Res. 35, 1096–1104 (2002)
Sheng-Hao H., Ming-Chung W., Sharon C., Chih-Min C., Shih-Hsiang L., Wei-Fang S.: Synthesis, morphology and physical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube/biphenyl liquid crystalline epoxy composites. Carbon 50, 896–905 (2012)
Sharon C., Sheng-Hao H., Ming-Chung W., Wei Fang S.: Kinetics studies on the accelerated curing of liquid crystalline epoxy resin/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites. J. Polym. Sci. B 49, 301–309 (2011)
Breton Y., De’sarmot G., Salvetat J.P., Delpeux S., Sinturel C., Be’guin F.: Mechanical properties of multiwall carbon nanotubes/epoxy composites: influence of network morphology. Carbon 42, 1027–1030 (2004)
Fidelus J.D., Wiesel E., Gojny F.H., Schulte K., Wagner H.D.: Thermo-mechanical properties of randomly oriented carbon/epoxy composites. Compos. A 336, 1555–1561 (2005)
Miyagawa H., Rich M.J., Drzal L.T.: Thermo-physical properties of epoxy composites reinforced by carbon nanotubes and vapor grown carbon fibers. Thermochim. Acta. 442, 67–73 (2006)
Song Y.S., Youn J.R.: Influence of dispersion states of carbon nanotubes on physical properties of epoxy composites. Carbon 43, 1378–1385 (2005)
Naseh M.V., Khodadadi A.A., Mortazavi Y., Alizadeh O.S., Pourfayaz F., Sedghi S.M.: Functionalization of carbon nanotubes using nitric acid oxidation and BDB plasma. Proc. World Acad. Sci. Eng. Technol. 37, 177–179 (2009)
Yao W., Jun W., Fei W.: A treatment method to give separated multi-walled carbon nanotubes with high purity, high crystallization and a large aspect ratio. Carbon 41, 2939–2948 (2003)
Kim D.Y., Yang C.M., Park Y.S., Kim K.K., Jeong S.Y., Han J.H.: Characterization of thin multi-walled carbon nanotubes synthesized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition. Chem. Phys. Lett. 413, 135–141 (2005)
John H.L., Mauricio T., Elisabeth M., Katherine E.H., Vincent M.: Evaluating the characteristics of multiwall carbon nanotubes. Carbon 49, 2581–2602 (2011)
Robert, M.S.; Clayton, G.B.; Terence, C.M.: Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds, pp. 104–122. Wiley, New York (1981)
Zhao C., Ji L., Liu H., Hu G., Zhang S., Yang M., Yang Z.: Functionalized carbon nanotubes containing isocyanate groups. J. Solid State Chem. 177, 4394–4398 (2004)
Chingombe P., Saha B., Wakeman R.J.: Surface modification and characterization of a coal-based activated carbon. Carbon 43, 3132–3143 (2005)
Lau K.T., Lu M., Lam C.K., Cheung H.Y., Sheng F.L., Li H.L.: Thermal and mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotube bundle-reinforced epoxy nanocomposites: the role of solvent for nanotube dispersion. Compos. Sci. Technol. 65(5), 719–725 (2005)
Evtushenko Y., Ivanov V.M., Zaitsev B.E.: Determination of epoxide and hydroxyl groups in epoxide resins by IR spectrometry. J. Anal. Chem. 58(4), 347–350 (2003)
Hong S.G., Wu C.S.: DSC and FTIR analysis of the curing behaviours of epoxy/DICY/solvent open systems. Thermochim. Acta 316(2), 167–175 (1998)
Loos M.R., Coelho L.A.F., Pezzin S.H., Amico S.C.: The effect of acetone addition on the properties of epoxy. Polím. Ciênc. Tecnol. 18(1), 76–80 (2008)
Cotiuga I., Picchioni F., Agarwal U.S., Wouter D., Loos J., Lemstra P.J.: Block-coploymer-assisted solubilization of carbon nanotubes and exfoliation monitoring through viscosity. Macromol. Rapid Commun. 27(13), 1073–1078 (2006)
Licea-Jimenez L., Henrio P.Y., Lund A., Laurie T.M., Perez-Garcia A.S., Nyborg L.: MWNT reinforced melamine-formaldehyde containing alpha-cellulose. Compos. Sci. Technol. 67(5), 844–854 (2007)
Allaoui A., Bai S., Cheng H.M., Bai J.B.: Mechanical and electrical properties of aMWNT/epoxy composite. Compos. Sci. Technol. 62(15), 1993–1998 (2002)
Zhou Y.X., Wu P.X., Cheng Z., Jeelani S.: Improvement in mechanical properties of epoxy by filling carbon nanotubes. Express Polym. Lett. 2(1), 40–48 (2008)
ASM Metals Handbook, vol. 11—Failure analysis and prevention, ASM International Materials Park, Russell Township, Geauga County, pp. 2250–2260 (2002)
ASM Metals Handbook, vol. 11—Failure analysis and prevention, ASM International Materials Park, Russell Township, Geauga County, pp. 1387–1389 (2002)
Klaus F., Stoyko F., Zhong Z.: Polymer composites from nano- to macro-scale. Polym. Compos. 5, 51–54 (2005)
Becker O., Simon G.P.: Epoxy layered silicate nanocomposites in: inorganic polymeric nanocomposites and membrane. Adv. Polym. Sci. 179, 135–142 (2005)
Kornmann X., Berglund L.A.: Nanocomposites based on montmorillonite and unsaturated polyester. J. Polym. Eng. Sci. 38, 1351–1358 (1998)
Becker, O.: High performance epoxy-layered silicate nanocomposites. PhD in School of Physics and Materials Engineering. Monash University, Melbourne (2003)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mansoor, M., Shahid, M. & Habib, A. Strengthening of Bisphenol-A Epoxy Resin by the Addition of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes. Arab J Sci Eng 39, 6411–6420 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-014-1290-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-014-1290-5