PHYSICAL DISPERSION OF NANOCARBONS IN COMPOSITES–A REVIEW

Abstract

Recently, nanocarbons (carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs)) have been used efficiently in numerous research works to significantly enhance the mechanical properties of composites. With their amazing mechanical properties and exceptionally high aspect ratios, nanocarbons (NCs) are seen as one of the most beneficial nanomaterials for nano-reinforcement. The dispersion of NCs is one of the key factors that strongly influence the properties of nanocomposites. Several researches have been carried out with chemical agents to achieve a consistent dispersal of carbon nanomaterials in water, although, if the process is uncontrolled, it can shorten or damage the NCs or even dissolve them, and this can have a negative effect on the composites as well. Therefore, if NCs are to be used as reinforcement for composites, physical methods have to be employed to disperse the NCs before they can be mixed into the composites. This paper presents an overview of the different types of NCs, their different uses and the research conducted for the dispersion of NCs by chemical and physical methods. Furthermore, a summary is given of the measurement and characterization of the dispersibility of NCs.