Highly curable epoxy/MWCNTs nanocomposites: An effective approach to functionalization of carbon nanotubes

Abstract

• Proposed here is an effective route for amine functionalization of MWCNTs. • Evaluated elemental surface characteristics of MWCNTs with NH NH 2 reactive groups. • Raman and XPS evidenced wall defects and intensive nitrogen peak after treatment. • Developed epoxy/anhydride/amino-MWCNTs nanocomposites very potent to cure. • The heat of cure of epoxy/amino-MWCNTs was even higher than the unfilled system. This investigation suggests an effective route to functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by which epoxy nanocomposites with very high potential to cure are successfully prepared. The proposed modification ends in covalent attachment of primary ( NH 2 ) and secondary ( NH) functional groups onto MWCNTs capable of facilitating cure mechanism. The modification process has been carried out via free radical polymerization of maleic anhydride derivative by which NH and NH 2 reactive groups were introduced onto the surface of MWCNTs. Raman spectroscopy (RS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to appropriately study surface characteristics of modified MWCNTs. The degree of disorderness and elemental composition onto the MWCNTs were quantitatively determined utilizing RS and XPS by tracking peak areas and sensitivity factors reflecting changes in binding energy, height, and width of corresponding peaks of pristine and functionalized MWCNTs. The cure characteristics of epoxy nanocomposites containing unmodified and amino functionalized MWCNTs were ultimately examined by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry to visualize the potential of the developed epoxy nanocomposites to cure.