Abstract:
A detailed experimental investigation was carried out to establish the relationship between CNT
purification and functionalization routes and the average response of CNT/epoxy nanocomposites under
static and dynamic loading. It was shown that the relative improvement in the mechanical properties of
the epoxy matrix due to the addition of CNTs depends on the choice of purification and
functionalization steps. A better dispersion of CNTs was recorded for the functionalized CNTs as
compared to the oxidized and CVD grown CNTs. Moreover, tensile, 3-point bending and nanoDMA
testing performed on nanocomposites processed with CVD-grown, oxidized and functionalized CNTs
revealed that COOH functionalization after the oxidation of CNTs at 350 1C is the optimized processing
route to harness the excellent properties of CNTs in CNT/epoxy nanocomposites.
