Abstract
The effective dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a thermoset was achieved using ionic liquid as the dispersion-curing agent. We preferentially dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) down to individual tube levels in epoxy resin. Here the dispersion is ruled by the depletion of physical bundles within the MWCNT networks, for which molecular ordering of ionic liquids is considered responsible. The quantitative analyses using ultra small angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) confirmed the dispersion of individual MWCNTs in the matrix. The distance between the dispersed nanotubes was calculated at different nanotube loadings using the power law fitting of the USAXS data. The fine dispersion and subsequent curing, both controlled by ionic liquid, lead to composites with substantially enhanced fracture mechanical and thermomechanical properties with no reduction in thermal properties. Merging processing techniques of nanocomposites with ionic liquid for efficient dispersion of nanotubes and preferential curing of thermosets facilitates the development of new, high performance materials.
Highlights
Fukushima et al, achieved a superior dispersion of CNTs in room temperature ionic liquid (IL) by mixing single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4).[10]
We present an investigation of highly dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in epoxy by combining the outstanding dispersing and hardening efficiency of ILs
We have physically observed that, below 0.5 wt% of MWCNT concentration, the suspensions flow freely under the influence of gravity and above this point, the suspensions show physical gel behavior as shown in Fig. 1.19 This gelation implies that further dispersion is achievable, eventually network formation will limit the degree of dispersion that could be achieved
Summary
Fukushima et al, achieved a superior dispersion of CNTs in room temperature ionic liquid (IL) by mixing single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4).[10]. The level of dispersion was measured first in viscous suspensions of epoxy + BMIMBF4 + MWCNTs prior to curing.
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