Acid‐Based Surfactant‐Aided Dispersion of Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Epoxy‐Based Nanocomposites. (30th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sumdani, Md Gulam; Islam, Muhammad Remanul; Yahaya, Ahmad Naim A.; Isa, Nadia
• Is Part Of: Polymer engineering & science. Volume 59(2019)Supplement 2
• Page Start: E80
• Page End: E87
• Publication Date: 2018-10-30
• Subjects: Polymer engineering -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/pen.24966
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3888

Abstract

Abstract : In this study, the dispersion of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in epoxy was facilitated by an anionic surfactant, linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid. Different types of composites were prepared using a fixed amount of MWCNTs (0.5 wt%), in absence of solvent/surfactant, in presence of solvent and solvent/surfactant. The composites were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), universal testing machine, pendulum impact system, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscope. The epoxy/MWCNTs nanocomposite exhibited significantly higher mechanical properties due to the better dispersion in the presence of the surfactant. The tensile strength and flexural strength were increased by 75% and 108%, respectively. The thermal, structural, and morphological analyses were also excellent as a result of the better dispersion. In addition, the solvent‐surfactant behavior was hypothesized for the epoxy/MWCNTs system. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E80–E87, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers