Investigation of thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of modified carbon nanotubes reinforced epoxy composites

Poor interaction between fillers and epoxy matrix is one of the major limitations to developing epoxy composites usage. In this study, effect of corona process on carbon nanotubes reinforced epoxy composite properties was evaluated. The structure and morphology of epoxy composites has been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and its chemical structure has been elucidated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of the prepared composites were also assessed. To analyze the relationship between the interfacial interactions in the nanocomposites and tensile performance, a theoretical model germane to the mechanical behaviors of the nanocomposite was applied. According to the results, it was found that the corona modification of carbon nanotubes resulted in breaking of fillers agglomerates and improved their dispersion. The mechanical properties and thermal stability of modified samples were improved with respect to unmodified ones. Moreover, the prepared epoxy composite possessed excellent electrical conductivity.