Comparison and analysis of physical properties of carbon nanomaterial-doped polymer composites

Abstract

Low-temperature curing approach has been adopted to fabricate the composites along with room temperature method involving four types of nanofillers. With the purpose to investigate the multifunctionality caused by carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/carbon nanofibers (CNFs), mechanical properties such as flexural modulus, flexural strength, and hardness and electrical property such as conductivity of various epoxy nanocomposites were determined. These results were supplemented and complemented by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Both mechanical and microscopic observations indicated that among all the nanocomposites, refrigerated, aligned CNTs and functionalized CNT composites show a significant reinforcement in the epoxy matrix along with bridging mechanism. Lower mechanical results were obtained in CNF composites that attributes to breaking of nanofibers after mechanical tests. All nanocomposites showed electrical percolation that occurs due to network formation of nanoparticles inside the matrix.