Self-diagnostic carbon nanocomposites manufactured from industrial epoxy masterbatches. (1st March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Butt, Hassaan A.; Lomov, Stepan V.; Akhatov, Iskander S.; Abaimov, Sergey G.
• Is Part Of: Composite structures. Volume 259(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03-01
• Subjects: Nanocomposite -- Piezoresistivity -- Self-diagnostic -- Carbon nanotubes -- Graphene -- Masterbatch; Composite construction -- Periodicals; Composites -- Périodiques; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.113244
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-8223

Abstract

Abstract: Masterbatches of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), graphene (G), reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and nitrogen doped graphene (NDG) were used at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt% to produce electrically conductive and piezoresistive nanocomposites. The conductivity and piezoresistive response was dependent on the microstructure obtained. A unified processing route incorporating mechanical mixing and ultrasonication was used. Distance between electrode points affected the final measurements and a minimum measurement distance of 2 cm was identified. Digital image correlation (DIC) was employed to measure strain during tensile loading. For all materials, an increase in the wt.% of nanoparticles resulted in lower resistivity. Resistivities for CNT samples ranged between 2 and 10 6 Ohm⋅cm as compared to G/RGO/NDG samples, 10 11 –10 12 Ohm⋅cm. Strain based gauge factors for CNT samples ranged up to ~ 7 while to G/RGO/NDG masterbatches were found to be unsuitable for self-diagnostic applications.