Abstract
Hybrid filler systems of carbon-based nanoparticles with different geometry shapes, one-dimensional (1D-) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and two-dimensional (2D-) graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs), were dispersed into epoxy matrix, using an intensive mixer, to evaluate their promising synergistic effects. In this work, the influence of different CNT/GnP ratios on the dispersion level, electrical and mechanical performance of epoxy-based nanocomposites was investigated. It was found that the size and number of GnP agglomerates are significantly reduced with the incorporation of CNTs, due to the formation of a co-supporting three-dimensional (3D-) architecture that delays re-agglomeration of the nanoplatelets. The combination of CNTs and GnPs, at an overall concentration of 0.043 wt. %, synergistically increase the mechanical performance and reduce the electrical percolation threshold of nanocomposites comparatively to the single filled systems. The transversal tensile properties, including elastic modulus – E2 and failure strength – Yt, of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites were studied and synergetic effects were also found when combining CNTs with GnPs.
Highlights
Carbon-based nanostructured materials, such as diamond, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), fullerenes (C60), graphite and its derivatives, have caught the attention of industrial and scientific communities owing to their potential for developing high-performance and smart materials and, in particular, enhancing carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites[1,2,3].Graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs), a two-dimensional (2D-) hexagonal structure of sp2 hybridized carbon atoms with open edges, obtained by intercalation and exfoliation of graphite, is a promising low-cost alternative to carbon nanotubes (CNTs)[4,5]
The use of hybrid filler systems based on the synergetic effects between carbon nanofillers having different geometry shapes, including 1D-CNTs and 2DGnPs, has been reported as a promising strategy for developing multifunctional CFRP composites with enhanced electrical and thermal conductivity[13,14]
According to the area ratio, only 0.048 % of the agglomerates were in the measurement range above 5 μm2. These results point out that the hydrodynamic shear stresses developed using a three-roll mill are strong enough to rupture the agglomerates into successfully smaller aggregates or to erode multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) from the agglomerate surface
Summary
Carbon-based nanostructured materials, such as diamond, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), fullerenes (C60), graphite and its derivatives, have caught the attention of industrial and scientific communities owing to their potential for developing high-performance and smart materials and, in particular, enhancing carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites[1,2,3]. Yue et al.[15] showed that the combination of CNTs and GNPs in a ratio 8:2 enhances the flexural properties and the electrical conductivity compared to the single filled systems This behaviour is associated with the easier formation of an interconnected network promoted by a better dispersion state of GnPs in the presence of CNTs. When used in polymer-based CFRP composites, the unusual intrinsic properties of carbon-based nanostructures are severely restricted by both optimum dispersion state and interfacial bonding with the polymeric matrix. Modified epoxybased suspensions containing different loadings of MWCNTs, GnPs or combinations of them were prepared using a three-roll mill, under optimized mixing conditions, to ensure a good and stable dispersion This intensive mixer attempts to create high hydrodynamic shear stresses developed during flow, it is a similar approach to industrial practices, and is less environmentally aggressive (does not require the use of solvents)[18]. The influence of hybrid systems on the transversal properties of CFRP composites was investigated and correlated with the different formulations
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