Morphology and tensile performance of MWCNT/TiO2-epoxy nanocomposite

Abstract

In this study, TiO2 nanoparticles are decorated on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by exploitation of opposite zeta potential of MWCNTs and TiO2 nanoparticles without degrading the hexagonal interatomic structure of MWCNT and generated new MWCNT/TiO2 hybrid nanofiller (MT hybrid nanofiller). The newly obtained MT hybrid nanofiller (from 0.25 wt% to 1.50 wt%) is loaded in crosslinking epoxy matrix to understand the multiphase nanocomposite in terms of mechanical performance under various stresses (storage modulus, loss modulus, tensile strength and modulus). The decoration of TiO2 nanoparticles on MWCNTs changes the fracture mechanism in the mirror zone and generates a new fracture surface, which changes the behavior of multiphase nanocomposite under various types of stresses.