Improving the dispersion of SWNT in epoxy resin through a simple Multi-Stage method

Abstract

This paper presents a new, univariate and improved Multi-Stage approach for dispersing of nanoparticles as well as nanotubes (CNTs) in polymeric resin. Unlike other old methods, the proposed improved technique is not dependent on various parameters and it is safer than old methods. This Multi-Stage approach includes functionalization of CNTs, mechanical dispersion and ultra-sonication (bath and probe). The quality of dispersion obtained by the proposed method, unlike the probe sonication method, is not affected by different variables such as frequency, cross-section and suspension's temperature. Because during the process, all these parameters are kept constant and linked to the time of process (Univariate system). In the planned tactic, the time of process is determined by a visual test in macro scale.In the next, in order to verify the presented method, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and viscosity tests were used. These tests were employed to examine and compare the quality of Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) distribution. This comparison was between the new presented approach and one of the known conventional methods (dispersion of functionalized nanotube via Ultra-sonic Probe). Also before these tests, FT-IR test was carryout for investigation of functionalized carbon nanotubes.The comparison between the results of the new proposed model and applied traditional method showed that the output quality achieved by the new method not only is not lower than the quality achieved by the traditional method but also sometimes is preferable. In addition, for validation, mechanical bending tests on samples made by the presented method showed that the proposed approach improves the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite. This increment was consistent with the results of previous researches that were based on the traditional method. Also, the proposed method was used for dispersing of another nanoparticle named Graphene Oxide, and the accuracy of the proposed method was re-confirmed. Finally, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to show the full dispersion of SWNT based on the new proposed method.