Abstract
Plasma nanocoating of allylamine were deposited on the surfaces of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to provide desirable functionalities and thus to tailor the surface characteristics of MWCNTs for improved dispersion and interfacial adhesion in epoxy matrices. Plasma nanocoated MWCNTs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), surface contact angle, and pH change measurements. Mechanical testing results showed that epoxy reinforced with 1.0 wt % plasma coated MWCNTs increased the tensile strength by 54% as compared with the pure epoxy control, while epoxy reinforced with untreated MWCNTs have lower tensile strength than the pure epoxy control. Optical and electron microscopic images show enhanced dispersion of plasma coated MWCNTs in epoxy compared to untreated MWCNTs. Plasma nanocoatings from allylamine on MWCNTs could significantly enhance their dispersion and interfacial adhesion in epoxy matrices. Simulation results based on the shear-lag model derived from micromechanics also confirmed that plasma nanocoating on MWCNTs significantly improved the epoxy/fillers interface bonding and as a result the increased composite strength.
Highlights
Polymeric nanocomposites have been an area of intense industrial and academic interests due to their lightweight and significantly improved properties
Allylamine plasma nanocoated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) significantly increased the tensile strength of their expoxy nanocomposite by 54%, while the untreated MWCNTs decreased the tensile strength of the epoxy composite
Fractographical analysis of the epoxy composites containing untreated MWCNTs indicated a poor dispersion of MWCNT filler
Summary
Polymeric nanocomposites have been an area of intense industrial and academic interests due to their lightweight and significantly improved properties. One dimensional nanomaterials are preferred as reinforcing materials compared to zero dimensional nanoparticles because nanofibers/nanotubes provide larger load transfer and help facilitate well-known toughening mechanisms, such as fiber bridging, and fiber pullout [5]. Percolation threshold is typically used to describe the maximum of loading rate of reinforcing materials, beyond which adding more reinforcing materials becomes detrimental to the composite properties. An enhanced interfacial adhesion of the nanofillers to the polymer matrix is required to provide effective load transfer from polymer matrix to the nanofillers. If these two major challenging problems are not solved, the nanocomposites fabricated may significantly under-perform their theoretical possibilities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
