Reinforcement of epoxy resin/carbon fiber composites by carboxylated carbon nanotubes: a dynamic mechanical study

The composites of epoxy resins reinforced with unidirectional carbon fibers were prepared via hot pressing of carbon fiber prepregs. Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) derivatives [parent CNTs, low carboxylated CNTs (LCCNTs) and higher carboxylated CNTs (HCCNTs)] were incorporated into the epoxy resin/carbon fiber (E/C) composite. Interestingly, remarkable modifications as consequences of homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in E/C matrix and prevention of void formation within the composite wereachieved by using carboxylated CNTs. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showe dimproved glass transition temperature (Tg) and storage modulus of the resulting E/C/HCCNT composite. The master curves of storage modulus were constructed for the samples using the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) and Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) equations as well as the time-temperature superposition principle (TTS). The apparent activation energies of molecular rearrangements were calculated at different temperatures based on the numerical derivatives and WLF equations. The experimental results indicate that COOH content of CNTs can have a remarkable effect on the ultimate properties and performance of the E/C/CNTs nanocomposites. Based on possessing light weight and good modulus (of 31 GPa and 20.6 GPa at -90 °C and 80 °C, respectively), E/C/HCCNT can be consideredas an interesting composite for structural applications by polymer engineers.