Multiphase epoxy-nanocomposites based on multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and inorganic nanoparticles (TiO2 and SiO2) were produced using a highly effective shear mixing process including a three roll mill. Using electron and optical microscopy, the formation of hybrid structures could be found. Titania nanoparticles are attached at the surface of carbon nanotubes. Due to intrinsic chemical interactions between carbon nanotubes and TiO2 no additional surface functionalisation was necessary to obtain this hybrid structure. Thus, an enhanced dispersion of carbon nanotubes was realised. The hydrophilic surface of SiO2 nanoparticles causes the formation of independent networks of both SiO2 and MWCNTs. Therefore, the change of the state of dispersion is less pronounced compared to the MWCNT/TiO2 structures. Changes in the state of dispersion lead to a decrease in electrical conductivity. If the TiO2 content exceeds a critical value, the conductivity decreases some orders of magnitude since the formation of a percolated network is facilitated. Similar results were found for the combination of MWCNTs and SiO2. Although SiO2 networks can stimulate the MWCNT-network formation, conductive pathways of MWCNTs can be disrupted if the SiO2 content is increased. Besides an altered state of dispersion, the hybrid structure leads to several synergistic effects, e.g., the glass transition of the nanocomposites. Although a decrease of the glass transition temperature (Tg) is observed for the nanocomposites containing only one kind of filler, the combination of TiO2 (or SiO2) and carbon nanotubes into a hybrid structure suppresses the decrease of Tg, thus demonstrating the potential of such hybrid structures as fillers for multi-functional epoxy systems. Additional thermo-mechanical and mechanical tests were conducted to emphasize the strengthening effect of a third phase based on inorganic nanoparticles in carbon nanotube epoxy composites.

1. FULLTEXT: Enhanced dispersion of MWCNTs and synergistic properties in multiphase epoxy nanocomposites by incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles, PDF document, version 1.4, 0.1MB

• Legal notice:
  

  Copyright (c) Pielaszek Research, all rights reserved.
  The above materials, including auxiliary resources, are subject to Publisher's copyright and the Author(s) intellectual rights. Without limiting Author(s) rights under respective Copyright Transfer Agreement, no part of the above documents may be reproduced without the express written permission of Pielaszek Research, the Publisher. Express permission from the Author(s) is required to use the above materials for academic purposes, such as lectures or scientific presentations.
  In every case, proper references including Author(s) name(s) and URL of this webpage: https://science24.com/paper/15529 must be provided.

1. Polyester elastomer nanocomposites with carbon nanotubes
2. SWCNT as cure-induced stress sensors in epoxy nanocomposites
3. Functionalisation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) using 1,3,5-triazine: Characterisation of thermal stability and chemical structure and effect of thermal properties of epoxy resins