Abstract
The definition of a nanocomposite material has broadened significantly to encompass a large variety of systems made of dissimilar components and mixed at the nanometer scale. The properties of nanocomposite materials also depend on the morphology, crystallinity, and interfacial characteristics of the individual constituents. In the current work, vapor-grown carbon nanofibers were subjected to varying heat-treatment temperatures. The strength of adhesion between the nanofiber and an epoxy (thermoset) matrix was characterized by the flexural strength and modulus. Heat treatment to 1800C∘demonstrated maximum improvement in mechanical properties over that of the neat resin, while heat-treatment to higher temperatures demonstrated a slight decrease in mechanical properties likely due to the elimination of potential bonding sites caused by the elimination of the truncated edges of the graphene layers. Both the electrical and thermal properties of the resulting nanocomposites increased in conjunction with the increasing heat-treatment temperature.
Highlights
Research on vapor-grown carbon fibers has been heightened in recent years by the discovery of carbon nanotubes
The heat-treatment of carbon nanofibers led to the removal of impurities from the nanofiber and resulted in altered physical properties of a nanofiber-reinforced epoxy composite
During heat-treatment, the structure within the carbon nanofibers is altered from local molecular ordering to that of coalesced, flattened graphene layers
Summary
Research on vapor-grown carbon fibers has been heightened in recent years by the discovery of carbon nanotubes. Such fibers are characterized by an extraordinarily high tensile modulus, tensile strength, and high electrical and thermal conductivity. As the fiber diameter reaches the threshold value of 1 μm, distinguishing the transition from a fiber to a nanofiber, the improvement in mechanical properties becomes more significant [1]. Vapor-grown carbon nanofibers can be prepared with diameters ranging from 15 nm to 100 nm. These fibers are continuous and have hollow cores. Their morphology resembles that of multiwall carbon nanotubes. The intrinsic stiffness and strength of carbon nanofibers, combined with these superior transport properties, present the opportunity to develop multifunctional nanofiber composites with tailored physical and mechanical properties
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