Dispersion, interfacial interaction and re-agglomeration of functionalized carbon nanotubes in epoxy composites

• Published in: Carbon (New York) Vol. 48; no. 6; pp. 1824 - 1834
• Main Authors: Ma, Peng-Cheng, Mo, Shan-Yin, Tang, Ben-Zhong, Kim, Jang-Kyo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adhesive bonding; Carbon; Carbon nanotubes; Covalent bonds; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Dispersions; Exact sciences and technology; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; Materials science; Physics; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; Specific materials; Wettability; Amines; Carbon nanotubes; Mechanical properties; Agglomeration; Dispersions; Adhesion; Covalent bonds; Wettability; Composite materials; Functionalization; Correlations; Resins; Surface energy
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2010.01.028

The surface, interfacial and dispersion properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and the mechanical properties of the CNT/epoxy composites affected by CNT functionalization are investigated. It is demonstrated that there exists strong correlations between amino-functionalization, dispersion, wettability, interfacial interaction and re-agglomeration behaviour of CNTs and the corresponding mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of CNT/epoxy composites. The amino-functionalized CNTs exhibit higher surface energy and much better wettability with epoxy resin than the pristine CNTs, and the attached amine molecules arising from the functionalization effectively inhibit the re-agglomeration of CNTs during the curing of resin. These ameliorating effects along with improved interfacial adhesion between the matrix and functionalized CNTs through covalent bonds result in improved flexural and thermo-mechanical properties compared with those without functionalization.