Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy/Carbon Fiber Composites Reinforced with Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes

Multi-scale hybrid composite laminates of epoxy/carbon fiber (CF) reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated in an autoclave. For laminate fabrication, 0.5 wt% of pristine MWCNTs or silane-functionalized MWNCTs (f-MWCNTs) were dispersed into a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A epoxy system and applied on the woven carbon fabric. The neat epoxy/CF composite and the MWCNTs-reinforced epoxy/CF hybrid composites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), thermomechanical analysis (TMA), tensile testing, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). A significant improvement in initial decomposition temperature and glass transition temperature of epoxy/CF composite was observed when reinforced with 0.5 wt% of f-MWCNTs. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), measured by TMA, diminished by 22% compared to the epoxy/CF composite, indicating an improvement in dimensional stability of the hybrid composite. No significant improvement in tensile properties of either MWCNTs/epoxy/CF composites was observed compared to those of the neat epoxy/CF composite.     

Electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding characteristics of multiwalled carbon nanotube filled polyacrylate composite films

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were homogeneously dispersed in pure acrylic emulsion by ultrasonication to prepare MWCNT/polyacrylate composites applied on building interior wall for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications. The structure and surface morphology of the MWCNTs and MWCNT/polyacrylate composites were studied by field emission scanning microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrical conductivity at room temperature and EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of the composite films on concrete substrate with different MWCNT loadings were investigated and the measurement of EMI SE was carried out in two different frequency ranges of 100-1000 MHz (radio frequency range) and 8.2-12.4 GHz (X-band). The experimental results show that a low mass concentration of MWCNTs could achieve a high conductivity and the EMI SE of the MWCNT/polyacrylate composite films has a strong dependence on MWCNTs content in both two frequency ranges. The SE is higher in X-band than that in radio frequency range. For the composite films with 10 wt.% MWCNTs, the EMI SE of experiment agrees well with that of theoretical prediction in far field.     

Solvothermal one-step synthesis of MWCNTs/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 magnetic composites

A magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes-based (MWCNTs-based) composite, MWCNTs/Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄, was synthesized via a facile solvothermal approach. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results confirmed that MWCNTs and Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ coexisted in the composites. The TEM and HRTEM results showed a thick layer of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ was intimately connected to the surface of MWCNTs. The saturation magnetization value of the composites was 45.8 emu/g. Furthermore, the probable synthesis mechanism of the magnetic composites was also investigated based on the experimental results.     

聚(2,5-二丁氧基)对苯乙炔/多壁碳纳米管复合材料的制备和性能研究

通过原位聚合法制备了聚（2,5-二丁氧基）对苯乙炔/多壁碳纳米管（PDBOPV/MWCNTs）复合材料.红外光谱和拉曼光谱证实了在MWCNTs表面的包覆层为PDBOPV.高分辨透射电子显微镜观察发现,PDBOPV/MWCNTs复合材料直径为35—45 nm,其中PDBOPV包覆层厚度约为15 nm.紫外—可见吸收光谱表明随着MWCNTs含量的增加,PDBOPV/MWCNTs的吸收发生红移且强度提高.荧光光谱研究表明随着MWCNTs含量的增加,PDBOPV/MWCNTs的最大发射波长发生蓝移且强度减小,MWCNTs与PDBOPV之间形成了光致电子转移体系,使得π电子离域程度增加,并且导致荧光量子效率降低.根据E_g与入射光子能量hν的关系,拟合了PDBOPV/MWCNTs薄膜的光学禁带宽度,发现随着MWCNTs的增加,E_g逐步减小.采用简并四波混频方法测试它们的三阶非线性极化率χ^（3）,结果发现随着MWCNTs含量的增加,PDBOPV/MWCNTs复合体的非线性光学响应逐渐增强,这说明PDBOPV与MWCNTs之间形成了分子间光致电子转移体系,产生了复杂的分子间π-π电子非线性运动. 关键词： 聚（2 5-二丁氧基）对苯乙炔 多壁碳纳米管 复合材料 光致发光     

Investigation on Properties of Polypropylene/Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposites Prepared by a Novel Eccentric Rotor Extruder Based on Elongational Rheology

The properties of polymer matrix composites are related not only to the chemical composition of the materials but also to the processing equipment used for their preparation which has a direct influence on the microstructure of the composites. In this paper polypropylene (PP)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending through a self-developed, eccentric rotor extruder (ERE). The structure and elongational deformation mechanism of an ERE were described in detail. The morphological, rheological, thermal and mechanical properties of the resulting PP/MWCNTs nanocomposites were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and rheological analysis showed that the MWCNTs were well dispersed in the PP matrix. The thermal stability was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and indicated that the addition of MWCNTs could effectively improve the thermal stability of pure PP. The percentage of crystallinity and tensile strength of the composites were improved as a result of the heterogeneous nucleation effect of the MWCNTs in the PP matrix. The research results revealed that the enhancement of the properties of PP/MWCNTs composites could be attributed to a better dispersion of the MWCNTs in the matrix as compared to samples prepared by conventional extrusion.     

Synthesis and gas sensing characteristic based on metal oxide modification multi wall carbon nanotube composites

A new type of gas sensing material based on metal oxide modification multi wall carbon nanotube (MO/MWCNT) composites is presented since the interface between the composites enhance the carrier density so as to improve the gas sensitivity. Three kinds of MO/MWCNT composite materials, such as ZnO/MWCNT, SnO₂/MWCNT and TiO₂/MWCNT, have been acquired in situ growth using catalytic pyrolysis method. The MO nano particles have decorated on side of MWCNTs, whereas the introduction of SnO₂ nano particles makes part of MWCNT showing two-dimensional form of carbon nano-wall structure. Among four kinds of cathode of ZnO/MWCNTs, SnO₂/MWCNTs, TiO₂/MWCNTs and pure MWCNT composite film, TiO₂/MWCNTs composite has the lowest threshold electric field required to draw current of 12 μA has been found to be ∼1.2 V/μm, and also TiO₂/MWCNTs composite has the highest sensitivity of 16% to ethanol. The TiO₂/MWCNTs composite is superior to the others both in vacuum electron transportation and gas sensitivity.     

Charge transport properties of composites of multiwalled carbon nanotube with metal catalyst and polymer: application to electromagnetic interference shielding

We report charge transport properties such as d.c. conductivity (σ_DC) and its temperature dependence for composites of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The MWCNTs were synthesized through chemical vapor deposition with Fe or Co as catalyst. The MWCNTs were homogeneously dispersed in PMMA matrix through sonication to prepare MWCNT–PMMA composite films. We controlled mass concentration of MWCNTs in the composites, and the thickness of MWCNT–PMMA composite films was 20–400 μm. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy were used to study structure and homogeneity of the composites. The σ_DC at room temperature of MWCNT–PMMA composites increased as mass concentration of MWCNTs increased, which followed percolation theory. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding efficiency (SE) of MWCNT–PMMA composites was measured in the frequency range of 50 MHz–3.5 GHz. We observed the increase of EMI SE of MWCNT–PMMA composites with increasing the concentration of MWCNTs.     

Influence of Carbon Nanotubes on the Crystallization and Directional Tensile Behavior of High-Density Polyethylene Prepared by Dynamic-Packing Injection Molding

The influence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the crystallization and directional tensile properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was studied for samples prepared by dynamic-packing injection molding (DPIM). Oscillatory shear was imposed on the gradually cooled melt during the packing solidification stage of DPIM. For the oriented composites containing 1.8 wt% MWCNTs, the tensile fracture behavior showed typical brittle features along the flow direction (FD) and perpendicular direction (PD), which were almost the same as those that occurred in oriented pure HDPE. The elongation at break along both directions decreased due to the incorporation of MWNCTs in the oriented composites compared with the oriented pure HDPE. However, the tensile strength of the oriented HDPE/MWCNT composites was greatly improved along the FD due to the presence of carbon nanotubes; meanwhile, it was not weakened along the PD. In scanning electron microscopy observations, it was found that there were some oriented hybrid shish-kebab structures in a nanometre scale in the oriented HDPE/MWCNT composites, but not in its isotropic composites. This suggests that MWCNTs were involved in the shear-induced crystallization of HDPE. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements confirmed that the crystallinity of oriented HDPE composites with 1.8 wt% MWCNTs was higher than those of isotropic HDPE and isotropic composites, but was not obviously higher than that of oriented pure HDPE. These findings demonstrate that MWCNTs indeed affected the formation of crystalline structures, but did not greatly influence the crystallinity of HDPE under shear flow. The transition of crystalline morphology might be the reason for change in tensile behavior for the oriented HDPE/MWCNT composites compared with the oriented pure HDPE.     

聚苯胺/碳纳米管复合体的制备及其三阶非线性光学性能研究

通过原位吸附-受限生长聚合法成功制备了聚苯胺/碳纳米管(PANI/MWCNT)复合体.红外光谱和拉曼光谱证实了在碳纳米管(MWCNT)表面的包覆层为聚苯胺(PANI).紫外—可见吸收光谱表明随着MWCNT含量的增加PANI的吸收发生红移且强度提高.扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜观察发现，PANI/MWCNT复合体直径为40—70nm，其中PANI的包覆层厚度约为15—20nm.利用四波混频方法测试它们的三阶非线性光学系数，结果发现PANI/MWCNT复合体的三阶非线性光学系数比纯PANI大，这说明在MWC 关键词： 碳纳米管 聚苯胺 复合体 三阶非线性光学系数     

Synthesis of modified multi-walled carbon nanotube poly(benzimidazole-imide) composites: assessment of morphological and thermo-mechanical properties

A fully aromatic poly(benzimidazole-imide) (PBI) containing triazole side units and amine-modified multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/PBI composites were fabricated via a polymerization process of monomer reactants and solution mixing with ultrasonication excitation. The polymer and composites were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction. According to the microscopic characterizations, the MWCNTs homogeneously dispersed in the composites. The mechanical properties of the composite films were also measured by tensile test. The test results evidently indicated that the Young’s modulus increased by about 60.0% at 1 wt% CNT loading, and further modulus growth was observed at higher filler loading. The composite films hold preferable thermal stability the same as the pure PBI. The improvement of the mechanical and thermal properties was attributed to the incorporation of the surface modified CNTs. For CNT-reinforced polymer composites, strong interfacial adhesion and uniform dispersion of CNTs are more crucial factors for improving such properties.     

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Amine Functionalized Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Epoxy-Based Nanocomposite

This study is focused on fabrication and characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) reinforced epoxy composites to understand variation of mechanical and thermal properties. Samples were prepared by infusing both amine functionalized and non-functionalized MWCNT into commercially available EL-350 epoxy resin. Flexure, quasi-static compression and high strain rate (HSR) tests were performed with 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% of MWCNTs to observe variation in mechanical properties. The optimum loading was found at 0.2%. Nanocomposites with amine functionalized MWCNTs showed better properties compared to that with unmodified MWCNTs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was performed to confirm an improvement in dispersion with functionalization. Thermal properties were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).     

Thermal stability of catalytically grown multi-walled carbon nanotubes observed in transmission electron microscopy

The thermal stability of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was assessed in situ by transmission electron microscopy. Upon heating, Ni catalysts in MWCNTs containing bamboo structures shrank from the tail due to evaporation, leading to additional bamboo formation and tube elongation at 800°C, while the MWCNTs with FeSi catalysts remained intact up to 1050°C except for better crystallinity. The physisorbed carbon and/or hydrocarbon on surfaces and super-saturated carbon in the Ni catalysts should be responsible for the phenomena.     

Multi-interfaces investigation on the PLA composites toughened by modified MWCNTs

The effects of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified by silane coupling agent (Trademark in china was KH570) and lactide (LA) on the properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were investigated in this paper. The Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) images showed that MWCNTs modified by both KH570 and LA, which constructed the MWCNTs-KH570-PLA nanocapsules, owned the best performances to toughen PLA. These nanocapsules were developed by solid multilayered interfaces and efficiently enhanced tnced the interfacial adhesion between PLA and MWCNTs. Polarizing optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis further verified that modified MWCNTs refined the PLA grain size and improved its crystallization. Moreover, observed by thermogravimetry (TG), the thermal stability of PLA was also improved. Then it could be drawn the conclusion that among these modified MWCNTs, MWCNTs-KH570-PLA nanocapsule was the best in toughening PLA, and the tensile strength of MWCNTs-KH570-PLA/PLA composite rose by 39.97% and its impact strength by 51.61%.     

Effects of different carbon precursors on synthesis of multiwall carbon nanotubes: Purification and Functionalization

Cyclohexanol and xylene were used as carbon precursors, for synthesis of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) arrays in a CVD system at temperature of 750 °C, using nitrogen as carrier gas and ferrocene as catalyst. Different characterization methods were employed to compare the MWCNTs structure synthesized by these two precursors. All scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Raman spectroscopy results illustrated that using cyclohexanol could significantly reduce formation of amorphous carbon and catalyst particles in the as-grown CNTs. The less amorphous carbon can be attributed to in situ oxidation in presence of oxygen atom of cyclohexanol. Characterizations showed that MWCNTs with high purity could be obtained using cyclohexanol as carbon precursor. The as-grown MWCNTs were purified by oxidation and acid treatment. Characterization of the purified MWCNTs using HNO₃/H₂SO₄ (1/3 or 1/1), 8 M HCl or 8 M HNO₃ was carried out. The results showed that 8 M HNO₃ could be considered as the best chemical to obtain more pure MWCNTs, less amorphous and metal particles and less damaged MWCNTs. The Raman spectroscopy results demonstrated that HNO₃/H₂SO₄ (1/3) treatment could more disorder the MWCNTs structure and this was attributed to the bigger destroying effect of this acid treatment. Furthermore, the TEM analysis of MWCNTs before and after acid treatment revealed that acid treatment could remove encapsulated catalyst particles. The FTIR analysis illustrated that purification of the MWCNTs with nitric acid could connect the functional groups onto the outer surface of MWCNTs and this resulted in more dispersion of the MWCNTs in water.     

Deposition of silver nanoparticles on carbon nanotube by chemical reduction method: Evaluation of surface,thermal and optical properties

Silver was stabilized on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by chemical-reduction technique using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a reducing agent. The influence of silver on the performance of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was investigated by employing Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy (RAS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), zeta potential measurement, scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and reflectance spectroscopy (RS). FTIR as well as RS methods evidenced the synthesis procedure using chemical reduction method was successful. Performing TGA of the samples under oxygen atmosphere demonstrated that the silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) generated on MWCNTs surface can decrease the thermal stability of the particles by the catalytic oxidation of CNTs. In contrary, the thermal stability of the MWCNTs has improved under nitrogen atmosphere. EDX results showed the presence of Ag, Au and Co on the surface of deposited sample. The synthesised silver multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Ag–MWCNTs) were found to have higher UV reflection activity compared with untreated particles. The Ag–CNTs can be used in producing anti-UV composites.     

Ru decorated Pt nanoparticles by a modified polyol process for enhanced catalytic activity for methanol oxidation

Ru decorated Pt nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared by a modified polyol synthesis method for enhanced catalytic activity for methanol oxidation. The characterizations for the electrocatalysts were carried out by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA). The modified polyol synthesis method promoted position-controlled nucleation and growth of Ru atoms near Pt, and resulted in improved durability against catalyst poisoning compared to PtRu/MWCNTs prepared by common polyol method. This concept also allowed a high loading and dispersion of the catalyst on the carbon supports with few agglomerations of catalyst nanoparticles, resulting in high catalytic activity.     

Different strategies for the synthesis of graphene/ZnO composite and its photocatalytic properties

Owing to its unique physical and chemical properties, graphene has attracted tremendous attention in the preparation of graphene-based composites for various applications. In this study, two different strategies have been developed to load zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods onto reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets, i.e., in situ growth and a self-assembly approach. The microstructure and morphology of the synthesized RGO/ZnO nanocomposites was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) measurements. Fluorescence emission spectra (PL) of RGO/ZnO composites were performed to attribute quality of combination between RGO and ZnO. Significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity of RGO/ZnO nanocomposites in comparison to bare ZnO nanoparticles was revealed by the degradation of methylene blue under irradiation, which can be attributed to the inhibition of electron–hole pair recombination and enhanced adsorption due to the presence of RGO sheets.     

Carbon nanotubes supported Cu-Ni bimetallic catalysts and their properties for the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) supported Cu-Ni bimetallic catalysts for the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from CH₃OH and CO₂ were synthesized and investigated. The supporting materials and the synthesized catalysts were fully characterized using FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) techniques. The catalytic activities were investigated by performing micro-reactions. The experimental results showed that the metal phase and Cu-Ni alloy phase in the catalyst were partially formed during the calcination and activation step. Active metal particles were dispersed homogeneously on the surface of the MWCNTs. Cu-Ni/MWCNTs catalysts were efficient for the direct synthesis of DMC. The highest conversion of CH₃OH was higher than 4.3% and the selectivity of DMC was higher than 85.0% under the optimal catalytic conditions of 120 °C and around 1.2 MPa. The high catalytic activity of Cu-Ni/MWCNTs in DMC synthesis can be attributed to the synergetic effects of metal Cu, Ni and Cu-Ni alloy in the activation of CH₃OH and CO₂, the unique structure of MWCNTs and the interaction between the metal particles and the supports.     

Thermal transport enhancement of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/ high-density polyethylene composites

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) enhanced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were prepared and their thermophysical properties were measured. The thermal diffusivity of the composites increases with the increase in the amount of MWCNTs. A thermal diffusivity of more than three times that of pure HDPE was obtained for 38 vol. % MWCNTs/HDPE composites. An equation based on an effective medium approach model was used to discuss the thermal diffusivity enhancement of MWCNTs/HDPE composites as a function of the volume fraction of MWCNTs. The results from this analysis can be a predictive guideline for further improvements in the thermal transport properties of MWCNTs/HDPE composites. Moreover, the intrinsic longitudinal thermal conductivity k_z of an individual MWCNT was deduced from the measured results on the MWCNTs/HDPE composites. PACS 67.55.Hc; 61.46.Fg; 66.30.Xj     

Preparation of carbon nanotubes-incorporated polymeric microspheres for electrorheological fluids

Electrically conducting polymeric microspheres having an average diameter of 92 μm were prepared from composites of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and suspension-polymerized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) particles. Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate were selected as the surfactants to stably disperse the MWCNTs in water. Strong adhesion of MWCNTs on the surfaces of the PVC microspheres was observed from the images obtained by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The amount of MWCNTs adsorbed on the microspheres was approximately 2 wt.%, determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The electrical conductivity of these composite-microspheres was remarkably increased upto 1.5 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm compared with that of the pure PVC microspheres (less than 10⁻¹⁴ S/cm), because of the electrically conducting MWCNTs on their surfaces. These microspheres also showed an electrorheological (ER) effect under an electric field (1.8 kV/mm) owing to the interfacial polarization of the MWCNTs-adsorbed microspheres, when they were dispersed in silicone oil (20 wt.%). The MWCNT-adsorbed PVC microspheres formed linear structures by electric force; i.e. the individual microspheres were connected to neighboring microspheres.