Mechanical and Water Uptake Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites with Surfactant-Modified Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
The superior mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) play a significant role in the improvement of the mechanical and thermal stability of an epoxy matrix. However, the agglomeration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the epoxy is a common challenge and should be resolved to achie...
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MDPI AG
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/5/1234 |
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| author | Arya Uthaman Hiran Mayookh Lal Chenggao Li Guijun Xian Sabu Thomas |
| author_facet | Arya Uthaman Hiran Mayookh Lal Chenggao Li Guijun Xian Sabu Thomas |
| author_sort | Arya Uthaman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The superior mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) play a significant role in the improvement of the mechanical and thermal stability of an epoxy matrix. However, the agglomeration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the epoxy is a common challenge and should be resolved to achieve the desired enhancement effect. The present paper investigated the thermal, mechanical, and water uptake properties of epoxy nanocomposites with surfactant-modified MWCNTs. The nanocomposites were prepared through the incorporation of different weight concentrations of MWCNTs into the epoxy matrix. Comparative analysis of neat epoxy and epoxy/CNT nanocomposites were conducted through thermal, mechanical, microscopic, and water uptake tests to reveal the improvement mechanism. The homogenous distribution of the CNTs in the epoxy was achieved by wrapping the surfactant onto the CNTs. The addition of surfactant-modified CNTs into the epoxy caused an obvious increase in the mechanical and thermal properties. This improvement mechanism could be attributed to the uniform dispersion of the CNTs in the epoxy matrix reducing the free volume between the polymer chains and restricting the chain segmental mobility, leading to strong interfacial bonding and an efficient load transfer capability between the CNTs and the epoxy matrix. However, the mechanical and thermal properties of the epoxy/CNT nanocomposite decreased owing to the agglomeration effect when the concentration of the CNTs exceeded the optimal percentage of 1.5%. Additionally, the CNTs could impart a reduction in the wettability of the surface of the epoxy/CNT nanocomposite, leading to the increase in the contact angle and a reduction in the water uptake, which was significant to improve the durability of the epoxy. Moreover, the higher weight concentration (2%) of the CNTs showed a greater water uptake owing to agglomeration, which may cause the formation of plenty of microcracks and microvoids in the nanocomposite. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:38:39Z |
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| id | doaj.art-7bf86dc018a74b7aaf63e0109cc6beff |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T11:38:39Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj.art-7bf86dc018a74b7aaf63e0109cc6beff2023-11-21T18:42:44ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912021-05-01115123410.3390/nano11051234Mechanical and Water Uptake Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites with Surfactant-Modified Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon NanotubesArya Uthaman0Hiran Mayookh Lal1Chenggao Li2Guijun Xian3Sabu Thomas4Key Lab of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control, Harbin Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Heilongjiang, Harbin 150090, ChinaKey Lab of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control, Harbin Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Heilongjiang, Harbin 150090, ChinaKey Lab of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control, Harbin Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Heilongjiang, Harbin 150090, ChinaKey Lab of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control, Harbin Institute of Technology, Ministry of Education, Heilongjiang, Harbin 150090, ChinaSchool of Energy Materials, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala 686560, IndiaThe superior mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) play a significant role in the improvement of the mechanical and thermal stability of an epoxy matrix. However, the agglomeration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the epoxy is a common challenge and should be resolved to achieve the desired enhancement effect. The present paper investigated the thermal, mechanical, and water uptake properties of epoxy nanocomposites with surfactant-modified MWCNTs. The nanocomposites were prepared through the incorporation of different weight concentrations of MWCNTs into the epoxy matrix. Comparative analysis of neat epoxy and epoxy/CNT nanocomposites were conducted through thermal, mechanical, microscopic, and water uptake tests to reveal the improvement mechanism. The homogenous distribution of the CNTs in the epoxy was achieved by wrapping the surfactant onto the CNTs. The addition of surfactant-modified CNTs into the epoxy caused an obvious increase in the mechanical and thermal properties. This improvement mechanism could be attributed to the uniform dispersion of the CNTs in the epoxy matrix reducing the free volume between the polymer chains and restricting the chain segmental mobility, leading to strong interfacial bonding and an efficient load transfer capability between the CNTs and the epoxy matrix. However, the mechanical and thermal properties of the epoxy/CNT nanocomposite decreased owing to the agglomeration effect when the concentration of the CNTs exceeded the optimal percentage of 1.5%. Additionally, the CNTs could impart a reduction in the wettability of the surface of the epoxy/CNT nanocomposite, leading to the increase in the contact angle and a reduction in the water uptake, which was significant to improve the durability of the epoxy. Moreover, the higher weight concentration (2%) of the CNTs showed a greater water uptake owing to agglomeration, which may cause the formation of plenty of microcracks and microvoids in the nanocomposite.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/5/1234carbon nanotubes (CNTs)nanocompositesepoxy resinmechanical and thermal propertieswater uptake |
| spellingShingle | Arya Uthaman Hiran Mayookh Lal Chenggao Li Guijun Xian Sabu Thomas Mechanical and Water Uptake Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites with Surfactant-Modified Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Nanomaterials carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposites epoxy resin mechanical and thermal properties water uptake |
| title | Mechanical and Water Uptake Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites with Surfactant-Modified Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes |
| title_full | Mechanical and Water Uptake Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites with Surfactant-Modified Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes |
| title_fullStr | Mechanical and Water Uptake Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites with Surfactant-Modified Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanical and Water Uptake Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites with Surfactant-Modified Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes |
| title_short | Mechanical and Water Uptake Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites with Surfactant-Modified Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes |
| title_sort | mechanical and water uptake properties of epoxy nanocomposites with surfactant modified functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes |
| topic | carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposites epoxy resin mechanical and thermal properties water uptake |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/5/1234 |
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