Preparation of Epoxy Nanocomposite from Carbon Nanotube Buckypaper

Due to the unique physical properties of carbon nanotubes, including mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, CNTs are used as the most promising reinforcement materials for use in high performance composites. However, good tube dispersion and high nanotube loading and strong interfacial bonding are essential for fabricating high performance nanocomposites. An accepted new method for forming such nanocomposites, is using of preformed CNTs networks called "buckypaper" in matrix resin. In the present work, Buckypaper/epoxy nanocomposites are fabricated from carbon nanotube sheets which emerged into a matrix resin to dramatically enhance its stiffness, strength and thermal properties. At first, Carbon nanotubes were dispersed in water-based suspension with the aid of surfactant and sonication. These suspensions can then be membrane filtered under negative or positive pressure to yield uniform films. The buckypapers/epoxy nanocomposite produced by multiple layer epoxy resin (EP 560 A/EP 561 Cure system) impregnated buckypapers and cure under presssure and temperature. SEM observations show that the CNTs have a good dispersion in the buckypaper and nanocomposites. The made nanocomposite has good dispersion and high CNT loading (up to 10 wt%) and shows good mechanical properties .

Keywords:

Nanocomposite , carbon nanotube , Buckypaper