- Title
- Processing of Nanocomposites Based on Epoxy and Carbon Nanotubes
- Author
- NARASIMHADEVARA, SUHASINI
- Degree
- MS, University of Cincinnati,
Engineering : Mechanical Engineering, 2005.
- Advisor
- Dr. Mark J Schulz
- Pages
- 181p.
- Abstract
- Carbon Nanotube materials including single wall carbon nanotubes, multi-wall carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanofibers have excellent mechanical and electrical properties at the nanoscale. These materials have the potential to be used as fillers in polymer composites to produce properties much higher than those achieved with traditional fillers. However, retaining the excellent properties of nanotubes at the macro-scale poses a significant challenge. The problem arises because nanotubes occur in clumps and are difficult to isolate and align to a reasonable degree, and the nanotubes must also be functionally modified to securely bond to the matrix material. Effective methods for incorporating carbon nanotubes into other materials are being sought by researchers all over the world, and many groups are focusing on achieving the above by dispersing the nanotubes in a solvent and then incorporating the nanotubes/solvent in some traditional epoxy matrix. This project focuses on fabricating epoxy nanocomposites without the use of solvents which are dangerous and increase the cost and time required to manufacture nanocomposites. The problem of dispersion is tackled by chemical and mechanical means. Plasma functionalization, surfactant treatment, controlled sonication, high speed shear mixing, and high pressure casting are used to exfoliate the nanotube bundles. A good interface between the nanotubes and the matrix is obtained by modifying the surface chemistry of the nanotubes by attaching “chemical handles” to the surface of the nanotubes that can also bond well to the matrix. This project conducts detailed studies on the effect of the many parameters that control dispersion of the nanotubes and the properties of the final composite. The effect of different surface treatment techniques is also studied. The process outlined in this project does not involve any complicated chemistry or processing and holds promise for fabricating composites with improved properties.
- Keywords
- Epoxy; Carbon Nanotubes; Composites
Document number: ucin1119466758.
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