Synergetic effects of graphene platelets and carbon nanotubes on the mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy composites

• Published in: Carbon (New York) Vol. 49; no. 3; pp. 793 - 803
• Main Authors: Yang, Shin-Yi, Lin, Wei-Ning, Huang, Yuan-Li, Tien, Hsi-Wen, Wang, Jeng-Yu, Ma, Chen-Chi M., Li, Shin-Ming, Wang, Yu-Sheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Fillers; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; Graphene; Materials science; Nanostructure; Physics; Platelets; Polymer matrix composites; Scanning electron microscopy; Specific materials; Tensile strength; Thermal conductivity; Solubility; Carbon nanotubes; Mechanical properties; Electron microscopy; Carbon; Aggregation; Thermal properties; Scanning microscope; Composite materials; Multiwalled nanotube; Thermal conductivity; Stacks; Polymers; Structure
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2010.10.014

Flexible MWCNTs can construct MGPs to form 3-D hybrid structure which inhibit face to face aggregation of multi-graphene platelets and MWCNTs can act as extended coordinating arms for the 3-D hybrid architectures, these arms entangle with polymer chain to provide stronger interaction between MWCNTs/MGPs and the epoxy matrix. A remarkable synergetic effect between the MGPs and MWCNTs on the enhanced mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of these epoxy composites was demonstrated. [Display omitted] ► Tortuous MWCNTs construct MGPs to form 3-D hybrid structure and inhibit aggregation. ► MWCNTs act as extended coordinating arms for the hybrid architectures in composites. ► 3-D hybrid architectures exhibit a synergetic effect on performance of composites. A remarkable synergetic effect between the multi-graphene platelets (MGPs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in improving the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of epoxy composites is demonstrated. Stacking of individual two-dimensional MGPs is effectively inhibited by introducing one-dimensional MWCNTs. Long and tortuous MWCNTs can bridge adjacent MGPs and inhibit their aggregation, resulting in a high contact area between the MGP/MWCNT structures and the polymer matrix. Scanning electron microscope images of the fracture surfaces of the epoxy matrix showed that MWCNT/MGP hybrid nanofillers exhibited higher solubility and better compatibility than individual MWCNTs and MGPs did. The tensile strength of GD400-MWCNT/MGP/epoxy composites was 35.4% higher than that of the epoxy alone, compared to only a 0.9% increase in tensile strength for MGP/epoxy composites over the epoxy compound. Thermal conductivity increased by 146.9% using GD400-MWCNT/MGP hybrid fillers and 23.9% for MGP fillers, compared to non-derivatised epoxy.