Nano Hybrid of MWCNTs/GNPs filled epoxy nanocomposites for structural application

Abd Rashid, Nur Umiza (2016) Nano Hybrid of MWCNTs/GNPs filled epoxy nanocomposites for structural application. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

Carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and grapheme nanoplatelets (GNPs) exhibit superior performance in term of their mechanical, physical, and thermal properties. Outstanding intrinsic and extrinsic properties of the CNTs and GNPs make them as an ideal fillers for polymer nanocomposites application that used in advanced engineering applications. Hence, in this research, a novel class of epoxy nanocomposites has been developed containing a hybrid reinforcement systems of MWCNTs-GNPs. The epoxy filled MWCNTs, GNPs and MWCNTs/GNPs nanocomposites system were prepared by using a simplified solution casting method with proper curing in the vacuum heated oven. The synergistic effects of MWCNTs/GNPs nanoreinforcements were evaluated by comparing their physical , mechanical and thermal performances with pure epoxy and the single filler reinforced nanocomposites of Epoxy/MWCNTs and Epoxy/GNPs at 1.00 wt. % of nanofiller loadings. The morphological observation through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) on the fracture surfaces of the samples were correlated further with the resulted properties of produced nanocomposites. The tensile strength and flexural strength of hybrid MWCNTs/GNPs filled epoxy nanocomposites had increased about 7.65 % and 7.24% as compared than neat epoxy. Besides, the hybrid MWCNTs/GNPs filled epoxy nanocomposites experienced enhanced thermal stability as indicated by enhanced Tg value of up to 60°C (from DSC analysis), higher degradation onset temperature and higher residue content of 15% (from TGA analysis) which are the highest compared than pure epoxy, Epoxy/ 1.00 wt .% MWCNTs and Epoxy/ 1.00 wt.% GNPs nanocomposites. Fractured surface morphologies observation by SEM had revealed that the hybrid MWCNTs /GNPs reinforced epoxy composite system possessed good matrix-filler interaction due to rougher matrix surfaces, matrix yielding, and matrix-fiber de-bonding which lead into matrix cracking phenomena that improves many of the properties testing in this reported research. In overall, this research had found that by combining the MWCNTs and GNPs nanofiller at 1.00wt. %/ 1.00wt. % of loading ratio are possible to provide such a promising and reliable performance that applicable for advanced structural applications.

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