Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes In Solution Research Articles

Tailoring surface properties of Poly(caprolactone)/Hydroxyapatite scaffolds through aminolysis and multi-walled carbon nanotube coating for bone tissue engineering

In this study, the effects of surface modification on the physicochemical properties, degradation behavior, and cellular responses of poly(caprolactone) (PCL)/hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffolds using carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were investigated. The scaffolds were prepared using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique, followed by aminolysis for 15, 30, and 60 minutes. Subsequently, the scaffolds were immersed in MWCNT solutions with concentrations of 0.1 %, 0.5 %, and 1 % g/mL to achieve the desired coating. Various characterization techniques were employed to evaluate the surface morphology, chemical composition, and structural changes induced by the coating. FESEM images revealed a uniform MWCNT coating on the PCL/HAp scaffolds at an optimal concentration of 0.5 % g/mL, while lower concentrations resulted in incomplete coating and higher concentrations led to MWCNT agglomerations. The MWCNT coating successfully enhanced the conductivity of the scaffolds, with electrical conductivity increasing from near zero for the non-coated PCL/HAp scaffolds to 5 × 10−5 S/m for the MWCNT-coated scaffolds. Additionally, the coating exhibited improved wettability, as demonstrated by decreased water contact angles from 67.71° for non-coated surfaces to 51.50° for the MWCNT-coated surfaces. Furthermore, the in vitro degradation studies showed that HAp in the PCL matrix accelerated the hydrolysis rate, resulting in higher degradation rates for the PCL/HAp scaffolds than pure PCL scaffolds. The MWCNT coating further influenced the degradation behavior, with variations in degradation rates depending on the MWCNT concentration. Cell viability assays using MG-63 cells revealed improved cell viability and adhesion on the MWCNT-coated PCL/HAp scaffolds compared to plain PCL and PCL/HAp scaffolds. The cell viability increased from 84 % for plain PCL and 103 % for PCL/HAp to 109 % for the MWCNT-coated scaffolds. Moreover, FESEM images showed increased cell adhesion on the MWCNT-coated surfaces, with optimal adhesion observed on the scaffolds coated with 0.5 % g/mL MWCNTs. The results of this study highlight the potential of MWCNT coatings to improve the surface properties of PCL/HAp scaffolds, making them excellent choices for bone tissue engineering applications.

Research on multiwalled carbon nanotubes spray method for preparing flexible piezoresistive tactile sensor

AbstractFlexible piezoresistive tactile sensor (FPTS) is widely used in wearable devices, e‐skin, and so on. However, the performance consistency and durability hinder its widespread application at a larger scale. It is still a challenge to prepare conductive composites with high performance consistency and high durability. In this research, a multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/polydimethylsiloxane FPTS with high performance consistency and high durability was prepared by a combination of spray and spin coating method. The spray parameters of MWCNTs solution were optimized by numerical simulation, and a self‐developed high pressure spray device was adopted to realize the high‐pressure spray. In the 6000 tensile cycles experiments, the fluctuation of FPTS resistance is less than 5%. The range of prepared FPTS can reach 1.2 kPa, and the sensitivity is 0.8 kPa−1. The results of mouse click and wrist bending tests confirmed that the prepared FPTS can satisfy the detection requirements of wearable devices.

The effect of acid treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the properties of cement paste prepared by ultrasonication with polycarboxylate ester

Chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes by the mix of sulfuric (H2SO4) and nitric (HNO3) acids has been reported to enhance the hydrophilicity of carbon nanotubes, which, in turn, improves its dispersion quality in aqueous solution and within the cement matrix. In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were treated by a mix of H2SO4 and HNO3, and used for preparation of MWCNT solutions by ultrasonic tip sonication with low amounts of polycarboxylate ester (PCE). The effects of acid functionalization on the dispersion of MWCNT, mechanical performance and hydration of cement paste were studied with respect to changes in MWCNT concentration, ultrasonication time and MWCNT:PCE ratio. According to the experimental results, acid-treated MWCNT contained 13 wt% of carboxyl functional group. The results from Raman spectroscopy showed the increased amount of unadsorbed PCE in solution with acid-treated MWCNT due to the increase in hydrophilicity. Increase in hydrophilicity contributed to a stronger bond between a-MWCNT and cement hydration products, and increased the mechanical strength of cement paste by 55%. The addition of a-MWCNT at 0.1 wt% concentration resulted in the increase of 28-day compressive strength from 40 MPa up to 62 MPa and flexural strength from 4.4 MPa up to 7.6 MPa. Retardation in hydration and increase in porosity were found to be associated with PCE that was not adsorbed on the surface of MWCNT.

Improving glass‐fiber epoxy composites via interlayer toughening with polyacrylonitrile/multiwalled carbon nanotubes electrospun fibers

AbstractThe development of innovative engineered epoxy composites aiming to manufacture cost‐efficient materials with reduced weight and enhanced physical properties remains as a current industrial challenge. In this work we report an original procedure for manufacturing glass‐fiber epoxy reinforced nanocomposites (GFECs) by employing electrospun fiber‐mats as a reinforcing phase. These fibers have been produced from polyacrylonitrile and multiwalled carbon nanotubes solutions. Optimal protocols are designed by combining Taguchi method with the morphological, structural and mechanical properties obtained by scanning electron microscopy, profilometry and tensile tests. It is demonstrated that GFECs fabricated using GF800 glass fiber show an improvement/enhancement of the mechanical properties with a fracture strain up to 500 MPa (around 20% higher than the non‐reinforced epoxy composite counterpart). It is also shown that GFECs fabricated using GF3M glass fiber exhibited a reduction of the roughness up to 56%, which corresponds with a roughness improvement from N8 to N7 following the guidelines provided by the ISO 1302. These results suggest that this type of nanocomposites would be suitable to be used in the aeronautics and automotive industries.

Optimization of Surfactant Concentration in Carbon Nanotube Solutions for Dielectrophoretic Ceiling Assembly and Alignment: Implications for Transparent Electronics.

Surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) are used to improve the dispersity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in aqueous solutions. The surfactant concentration in CNT solutions is a critical factor in the dielectrophoretic (DEP) manipulation of CNTs. A high surfactant concentration causes a rapid increase in the solution conductivity, while a low concentration results in undesirably large CNT bundles within the solution. The increase in the solution conductivity causes drag velocity that obstructs the CNT manipulation process due to the electrothermal forces induced by the electric field. The presence of large CNT bundles is undesirable since they degrade the device performance. In this work, mathematical modeling and experimental work were used to optimize the concentration of the SDS surfactant in multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) solutions. The solutions were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis) analysis. We found that the optimum SDS concentration in MWCNT solutions for the successful DEP manipulation of MWCNTs was between 0.1 and 0.01 wt %. A novel DEP configuration was then used to assemble MWCNTs across transparent electrodes. The configuration was based on ceiling deposition, where the electrodes were on top of a droplet. The newly proposed configuration reduced the drag velocity and prevented the assembly of large MWCNT bundles. MWCNTs were successfully assembled and aligned across interdigitated electrodes (IDEs). The assembly of MWCNTs from aqueous solutions across transparent electrodes has potential use in future transparent electronics and sensor devices.

Voltammetric determination of uric acid using multiwall carbon nanotubes coated-poly(4-amino-3-hydroxy naphthalene sulfonic acid) modified glassy carbon electrode

In this study, an electrochemical sensor based multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-poly (4-amino-3-hydroxy naphthalene sulfonic acid) modified glassy carbon electrode (MWCNTs/poly (AHNSA)/GCE) was developed for the determination of uric acid (UA). The composite electrode was prepared first by electropolymerization of the monomer (AHNSA) on GCE using cyclic voltammetry within the potential range of −0.8 V to +2.0 V vs Ag/AgCl for 15 cycles followed by drop coating of MWCNTs solution on the surface of poly (AHNSA)/GCE. Under optimal conditions, MWCNTs/poly (AHNSA)/GCE showed a linear current response with UA concentrations in the range of 1 × 10−6 to 1 × 10−4 M with R2 = 0.9972. The sensor exhibited low detection limit with a value of 0.024 μM. The sensors have been applied to successfully quantify UA in urine samples.

Deep-Ultraviolet Transparent Conductive MWCNT/SiO2 Composite Thin Film Fabricated by UV Irradiation at Ambient Temperature onto Spin-Coated Molecular Precursor Film.

Deep-ultraviolet (DUV) light-transparent conductive composite thin films, consisting of dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and SiO2 matrix composites, were fabricated on a quartz glass substrate. Transparent and well-adhered amorphous thin films, with a thickness of 220 nm, were obtained by weak ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (4 mW cm−2 at 254 nm) for more than 6 h at 20−40 °C onto the precursor films, which were obtained by spin coating with a mixed solution of MWCNT in water and Si(IV) complex in ethanol. The electrical resistivity of MWCNT/SiO2 composite thin film is 0.7 Ω·cm, and transmittance in the wavelength region from DUV to visible light is higher than 80%. The MWCNT/SiO2 composite thin film showed scratch resistance at pencil hardness of 8H. Importantly, the resistivity of the MWCNT/SiO2 composite thin film was maintained at the original level even after heat treatment at 500 °C for 1 h. It was observed that the heat treatment of the composite thin film improved durability against both aqueous solutions involving a strong acid (HCl) and a strong base (NaOH).

Purification use and toxicity of paramagnetic short multi-walled carbon nanotubes

ABSTRACT Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have high surface area and absorption capabilities and the absorption capacity of multi-walled CNTs (MWNTs) enables paramagnetic nanotubes to be obtained by absorbing iron salts. Characterization of paramagnetic MWNTs was performed with TEM, FTIR, DSC, and VSM. Paramagnetic CNTs are used for the purification of water from heavy metals and plastic originated compounds. Most of the PVC-based materials contain phthalate acid esters (PAE) which have considerable effects on human health. In this study, MWNTs were used for removing diethyl phthalate (DEP) from methanol after their toxicity evaluation. Concentration-dependent absorption of 494, 1461, and 2950 ppm, respectively, were measured from the mixture containing 13.3, 33.3, and 66.6% DEP in 40 mg paramagnetic MWNT solution. Although it was concluded that magnetic nanotubes would exhibit significant toxic effects compared to untreated MWNTs, GC-MS results were showed a reliable absorption capacity of magnetic nanotubes for purification applications. The results demonstrated that the use of magnetic MWNTs for the extraction of PAEs is an efficient way from liquids.

Smart Nanocomposite Nonwoven Wearable Fabrics Embedding Phase Change Materials for Highly Efficient Energy Conversion-Storage and Use as a Stretchable Conductor.

Flexible and intelligent electronics are highly demanded in wearable devices and systems, but it is still challenging to fabricate conductive textiles with good stretchability, multifunctionality, and responsiveness to multistimuli. Therefore, kinds of smart conductive fabrics with high stretchability and thermal properties, good washability, excellent shape stability, rapid responsiveness to external stimuli (e.g., electrical and photonic), and outstanding energy conversion and storage properties were designed and prepared. The nonwoven smart fabrics were fabricated by electrospinning of a solution of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/lauric acid (LA)/thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) and dip-coating conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) on the obtained nanofibers. The smart textiles showed tunable temperature and phase change enthalpy that responded to external stimuli such as electrical voltage, infrared light, and sunlight. At the same time, they realized the storage and conversion of energy reversibly with a high efficiency. The elastic fabrics could also be used as a stretchable conductor in a range of deformation. The integrative functions of the smart fabrics promise them great potential in wearable systems and intelligent protective garments.

Increased Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions in Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Improved Dispersion Stability.

In recent years, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been intensively studied as an effective adsorbent for the removal of pollutants from wastewater. One of the main problems for its use corresponds to the agglomeration of the CNTs due to the interactions between them, which prevents using their entire surface area. In this study, we test the effect of dispersion of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the removal of heavy metals from acidic solutions. For this, polyurethane filters were dyed with a well-dispersed oxidized MWCNTs solution using chemical and mechanical dispersion methods. Filters were used in column experiments, and the sorption capacity increased more than six times (600%) compared to experiments with suspended MWCNTs. Further, kinetic experiments showed a faster saturation on MWCNTs in column experiments. These results contribute to a better understanding of the effect of dispersion on the use of CNTs as heavy metal ions adsorbent.

Adsorption onto MWCNTs Coupled with Cloud Point Extraction for Dye Removal from Aqueous Solutions: Optimization by Experimental Design.

The main aim of the study was to examine the feasibility and benefits of adsorption onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coupled with cloud point extraction (CPE) for the removal of Rhodamine B (RB) from aqueous solutions. MWCNTs offer the particular features of the ideal adsorbents for the organic dyes such as hollow tubular structure and specific surface area. Nevertheless, they suffer from the drawbacks of low dispersion in the aqueous solutions and separation inconvenience from the media. Cloud point extraction, combined with the adsorption onto MWCNTs can be a promising method to overcome the problems. In the study, adsorption onto MWCNTs coupled with CPE was applied for RB removal from aqueous solutions. The process was optimized by the response surface modeling method. Moreover, the applicability of the proposed method in the real sample analyses was investigated. MWCNTs were used as adsorbent and Triton X-100 (TX-100) as the nonionic surfactant for CPE process. The experiments were carried out based on a Box-Behnken design (BBD) with the input variables of MWCNTs dosage (0.6-1.2 mg), solution pH (3-9), clouding time (20-40 min) and TX-100 concentration (10-20 v/v%) using 5 mg L-1 RB solutions. Regression analyses resulted in a statistically significant quadratic model (R2=0.9718, F=24.96, p<0.0001) by which the optimum levels of the variables were predicted as: MWCNTs dosage of 0.7 mg, pH=3, clouding time of 39.9 minutes and TX-100 concentration of 19.91% (v/v). The predicted conditions were experimentally validated by achieving an RB removal of 94.24%. Based on the results, the combination of the environmentally friendly technique of CPE with adsorption onto MWCNTs allows the efficient removal of RB from water samples and the method can be effectively optimized by the response surface modeling.

The Influence of Electric Fields on Self-Organization Processes in an Ultradispersed Solution of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The influence of the electric field on the ordering processes in sediments of an ultradispersed solution of functionalized carbon nanotubes is investigated. The features and regularities of self-assembling and/or self-organization, leading to the formation of linear, fractal, and cluster substrates are examined via confocal (with video recording) and atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, as well as via IR Fourier spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. It is established that dimensions of fractal structures decrease inversely to the electric field strength and their growth rate is a quadratic function of strength. Single-walled carbon nanotubes with metallic and semiconducting conductivities are detected and characterized with respect to chirality inside linear and cluster structures.

Comparative analysis of lung and blood transcriptomes in mice exposed to multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Pulmonary exposure to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) causes inflammation, fibroproliferation, immunotoxicity, and systemic responses in rodents. However, the search for representative biomarkers of exposure is an ongoing endeavor. Whole blood gene expression profiling is a promising new approach for the identification of novel disease biomarkers. We asked if the whole blood transcriptome reflects pathology-specific changes in lung gene expression caused by MWCNT. To answer this question, we performed mRNA sequencing analysis of the whole blood and lung in mice administered MWCNT or vehicle solution via pharyngeal aspiration and sacrificed 56 days later. The pattern of lung mRNA expression as determined using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was indicative of continued inflammation, immune cell trafficking, phagocytosis, and adaptive immune responses. Simultaneously, innate immunity-related transcripts (Plunc, Bpifb1, Reg3g) and cancer-related pathways were downregulated. IPA analysis of the differentially expressed genes in the whole blood suggested increased hematopoiesis, predicted activation of cancer/tumor development pathways, and atopy. There were several common upregulated genes between whole blood and lungs, important for adaptive immune responses: Cxcr1, Cd72, Sharpin, and Slc11a1. Trim24, important for TH2 cell effector function, was downregulated in both datasets. Hla-dqa1 mRNA was upregulated in the lungs and downregulated in the blood, as was Lilrb4, which controls the reactivity of immune response. “Cancer” disease category had opposing activation status in the two datasets, while the only commonality was “Hypersensitivity”. Transcriptome changes occurring in the lungs did not produce a completely replicable pattern in whole blood; however, specific systemic responses may be shared between transcriptomic profiles.

Application of Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Growth Enhancement of Mustard Seed Germination

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are one of the nanomaterials that can be applied to agriculture. This work investigates the beneficial effects of MWCNT function on mustard plants. In this study, the material of MWCNTs is functionalized with nitric acid to attach the carboxylic group onto the tube wall. The functionalized MWCNTs were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, and FTIR. The MWCNT diameter produced ranges from 20 to 50 nm and the inner diameter is 5 to 10 nm at the pyrolysis temperature of 900 °C. It was found that crystallites of the MWCNTs have (002) and (100) directions. There is a weak peak in MWCNTs prior to the functionalization process due to the presence of metal carbide (Fe3C), which serves as an active catalyst. FTIR results clearly indicate the presence of hydroxyl and carboxylic groups. These functionalized MWCNTs were dispersed into distilled water with various concentrations at 25, 50 and 75 µg/mL. By utilizing an immersion time of 24 h, mustard (Brassica juncea) seeds were soaked in each functionalized and non-functionalized MWCNT solution. Functionalized MWCNT solution at a concentration of 50 µg/mL was found to affect the growth of mustard seeds more significantly.

Growth of MWCNTs on Plasma Ion-Bombarded Thin Gold Films and Their Enhancements of Ammonia-Sensing Properties Using Inkjet Printing

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been synthesized on thin gold (Au) films using thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The films were evolved to catalytic Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) by plasma argon (Ar) ion bombardment with a direct current (DC) power of 216 W. The characteristics of the MWCNTs grown on Au catalysts are strongly dependent on the growth temperature in thermal CVD process. The MWCNTs were then purified by oxidation (550°C) and acid treatments (3 : 1 H2SO4/HNO3). After purifying the MWCNTs, they were dispersed in deionized water (DI water) under continuous sonication. The MWCNT solution was then ultrasonically dissolved in a conducting polymer mixture of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) to prepare for an electronic ink. The ink was deposited onto the flexible and transparent plastic substrates such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with fabricated silver interdigitated electrode using two methods such as drop-casting and inkjet printing to compare in the detection of ammonia (NH3) and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at room temperature. Based on the results, the gas response, sensitivity, and selectivity properties of MWCNT-PEDOT:PSS gas sensor for NH3 detection are significantly enhanced by using inkjet printing technique. The sensing mechanism of fabricated gas sensor exposed to NH3 has been also proposed based on the swelling behaviour of polymer due to the diffusion of NH3 molecules into the polymer matrix. For the MWCNTs, they were mentioned as the conductive pathways for the enhancement of gas-sensing signals.

Understanding the effect of carbon nanotube functionalization on copper electrodeposition

The dynamics of electrochemical deposition and dissolution of copper in the presence of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in solution has been studied in detail using an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. Results demonstrate the central role of carbon nanotube functionalization on the values of mass and current densities of copper deposition. Amine functionalization increases competitive hydrogen evolution without significantly affecting the total amount of deposited copper, whereas carboxylic functionalization clearly enhances the deposition of larger amounts of smoother copper deposits. Molar mass analysis of deposited species reveals interactions of carbon nanotubes with the electrode surface dependent on the type of functionalization. The effect of carbon nanotube functionalization should be closely considered in the development of electrochemical strategies for the integration of carbon nanotubes in metallic copper.Graphical

Anisotropic electrical and thermal characteristics of carbon nanotube-embedded wood

Wood has a long history as a traditional material which has been widely recognized to be hardly conductive electrically and thermally. Making wood conductive electrically and thermally is technically a new challenge to think outside the box. Here, we demonstrate that wood can be electrically and thermally conductive by dipping wood in the solution where multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) is dispersed evenly. Our idea is based on the fact that wood usually absorbs water or moisture due to its hygroscopic properties. When walnut wood was dipped in the MWCNT solution, the wood started to absorb water containing MWCNT. As a result, well-networked MWCNTs were homogeneously formed in the structure of wood with natural porosity. Interestingly, superior electrical and thermal conductivity were observed along the cellulose fiber direction of the walnut wood, compared with the tangential direction perpendicular to the fiber. We found that wood has electrically and thermally anisotropic characteristics due to the grain boundary by wood fibers. Furthermore, the degree of conductivity was controllable by varying dipping times. We think that this discovery will open a new avenue to utilize wood as a nanocomposite material having electrical and thermal properties.

Electrospinning of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Fibers.

Nanocomposites, based on an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer with a vinyl acetate content of 34 wt % and varying amounts of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), were prepared by an electrospinning method. The dispersibility of the MWCNTs in the solution was improved by using cholesteryl 1-pyrenecarboxylate (PyChol) as a compatibilizer. The transmission electron microscopy images showed that the MWCNTs were aligned inside of the elastomeric matrix by the electrospinning process. The morphologies of the fibers were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. When the amount of MWCNTs in the polymer solution reached 3 wt %, fibers with a diameter of 846 ± 447 nm were prepared. The chemical composition of the prepared fibers was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). FTIR results confirmed the presence of a carboxyl group, originating from the presence of PyChol. XPS results showed that the EVA fibers produced by electrospinning were oxidized in ethylene units, when comparing the spectra of the original EVA granules, but the presence of MWCNTs enhanced the stability of the EVA. The thermal stabilities of the fibers were tested with thermogravimetric analysis. The results confirmed that the presence of MWCNTs inside the fibers enhanced the thermal stabilities of the prepared nanocomposites.

Dispersion and stability of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in water as affected by humic acids

The effects of two different humic acids (HAs), commercial Aldrich HA (AHA) and HA extracted from forest soils (FHA), on the dispersion and stability of three multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in water were investigated. The amount of MWCNTs suspended in pure water increased with increases in the MWCNT surface oxygen content and solution pH, and the amount decreased as the ionic strength increased. These results indicated that electrostatic repulsion drove the dispersion of MWCNTs. Adsorbed HA greatly enhanced the dispersion and stability of MWCNTs due to the increased steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion between individual MWCNTs. Suspended MWCNT concentrations and HA adsorption to MWCNTs were positively correlated with low ionic strengths (0–40 mM) and/or pH values between 3 and 7, which were independent of the change in electrostatic repulsion, suggesting that the dispersion of MWCNTs was primarily controlled by steric hindrance. At higher ionic strengths, MWCNTs rapidly precipitated due to the reduction of the electrostatic repulsion between individual MWCNTs. AHA could suspend more MWCNTs than FHA, which was ascribed to the higher molecular weight and aromatic carbon content of AHA that led to greater steric hindrance between individual MWCNTs. This result verified that steric hindrance was the dominant mechanism by which HAs disperse MWCNTs.

Effect of black ink loading on the properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/glass fibre/epoxy laminated hybrid composites

The demand for weight reduction is driven by the demand for better fuel efficiency and reduction of emissions. Polymer composites can offer lightweight benefits from 15 to 25% for glass fibre-reinforced composites in comparison to other metallic structure. Modification has been made to the fibre and polymer matrix by integrating with nanofiller, for example, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). In the present study, commercial black ink was utilized as dispersing agent to disperse pristine MWCNT in deionized water. The MWCNT solution was applied to the 3-ply glass fibre (GF)/epoxy using spreading method. The amount of MWCNT was fixed at 1.4 vol% whereas the black ink loading was varied from 1.4 to 5.6 vol%. The results of hybrid composites (3-ply MWCNT/GF/epoxy) were compared with 3-ply and 4-py GF/epoxy laminated composites (3GF and 4GF). It was found that about 100 and 14% improvement in flexural strength and modulus were observed for hybrid composites compared to 4GF, respectively. The storage modulus also increased up to 50% compared to 4GF. The superior properties of hybrid composites was attributed to the less MWCNT agglomerations occur during the fabrication process hence results in a good dispersion of MWCNT fillers on the fibres. This indicates that addition of MWCNT in the glass fibre laminates with the aid of black ink is able to reduce the number of glass fibre laminate and hence reduce the weight of the composite structure.