Effect of Nanofiller Content on Dynamic Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube and Montmorillonite Nanoclay Filler Hybrid Shape Memory Epoxy Composites.

Muhamad Hasfanizam Mat Yazik,Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan,Mohammad Jawaid,Abd Rahim Abu Talib,Ain Umaira Md Shah,Syafiqah Nur Azrie Safri,Norkhairunnisa Mazlan

doi:10.3390/polym13050700

Muhamad Hasfanizam Mat Yazik, Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13050700

Copy DOI

Journal: Polymers	Publication Date: Feb 25, 2021
Citations: 29	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Abstract

The aim of the present study has been to evaluate the effect of hybridization of montmorillonite (MMT) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on the thermal and viscoelastic properties of shape memory epoxy polymer (SMEP) nanocomposites. In this study, ultra-sonication was utilized to disperse 1%, 3%, and 5% MMT in combination with 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% MWCNT into the epoxy system. The fabricated SMEP hybrid nanocomposites were characterized via differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. The storage modulus (E’), loss modulus (E”), tan δ, decomposition temperature, and decomposition rate, varied upon the addition of the fillers. Tan δ indicated a reduction of glass transition temperature (Tg) for all the hybrid SMEP nanocomposites. 3% MMT/1% MWCNT displayed best overall performance compared to other hybrid filler concentrations and indicated a better mechanical property compared to neat SMEP. These findings open a way to develop novel high-performance composites for various potential applications, such as morphing structures and actuators, as well as biomedical devices.

Highlights

Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) are smart or mechanically active materials, which are fabricated in a permanent specific shape and can be deformed and fixed in a secondary, temporary shape
The results indicated that 0.75 wt.% of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) filler significantly increased the three key mechanical
All the shape memory epoxy polymer (SMEP) nanocomposites decompose at a lower temperature than the neat

Summary

Introduction

Shape Memory Polymers (SMPs) are smart or mechanically active materials, which are fabricated in a permanent specific shape and can be deformed and fixed in a secondary, temporary shape. There are various types of stimuli that would trigger a shape memory effect (SME), depending on the properties of the SMP, such as heat, electricity, and light [1,2,3,4]. The permanent net-points are covalent net-points for covalently crosslinked polymers or physical net-points (hard domain) affiliated with high thermal transition temperature, either Tm or Tg [5], which determine the permanent shape of SMP. The active movement of SMPs is highly influenced by the nature of the polymer chains, crystallinity, molecular weight and the degree of crosslinking between the hard and soft domains [6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion