Comparative Analysis of the Efficiency of Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene in Reinforcement of Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract

The comparative analysis of the efficiency of reinforcement (increasing in the elasticity modulus) of polymers by carbon nanotubes and graphene has been performed using the fractal analysis methods and percolation theory. It is shown that such comparison is correct only when the mentioned anisotropic nanofillers have the same structure in a polymeric matrix. For carbon nanotubes, the reinforcement efficiency strongly depends on their geometry (length and outside diameter). The main role in polymer reinforcement is taken by not initial characteristics of filler but its structures obtained during the preparation of nanocomposites. In the technological aspect, carbon nanotubes are more suitable for producing high-modulus nanocomposites, which is due to the possibility of a fairly simple implementation of their orientation.