One step fabrication of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/graphene nanoplatelets hybrid materials with excellent mechanical property

Abstract

A novel method to prepare three-dimensional (3-D) microstructured hybrid carbon nanomaterials using “graft to” technique to make poly(acryloyl chloride) (PACl) as a bridge between multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs). It is showed that the esterification reaction was driven by the reaction of the hydroxyl groups on the surface of MWCNTs and GnPs and the acryl chloride groups of PACl. The 3-D microstructure of the carbon nanomaterials had been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The synergistic bridge and unique structure of MWCNTs and GnPs overcame the disadvantage of agglomeration, made the hybrid carbon nanomaterials dispersed uniformly in the solution of tetrahydrofuran (THF). In addition, the hybrid carbon nanomaterials, which were thermally stable up to ~200 °C, indicated that defect between the chain of PACl and the surface of MWCNTs and GnPs was decreased. Meaningfully, the results from tensile tests showed that multi-walled carbon nanotubes/graphene nanoplatelets hybrid materials had better strengthening and toughness effect on epoxy resin than graphene nanoplatelets and multi-walled carbon nanotubes.