Influence of dispersion states of carbon nanotubes on mechanical and electrical properties of epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/ epoxy resin composites have been fabricated by dispersing very low content (0.2%) of MWCNTs in the epoxy matrix using ethanol. To analyze dispersion of CNTs, optical microscope is used. Further ductile nanocomposites (NCs) are prepared by setting samples at low temperature. With a little wt% of CNTs, composite samples yield higher mechanical and electrical properties than pure resin samples. Improvement in flexural modulus and electrical conductivity are observed in NCs containing well dispersed CNTs than the ones with poorly dispersed CNTs. Lower values are due to inhomogeneous dispersion of nanotubes in polymer matrix. Moreover, ductile samples having better dispersion state exhibit significant improvement in mechanical and electrical properties.