Fracture behavior of hybrid epoxy nanocomposites based on multi-walled carbon nanotube and core-shell rubber

Zewen Zhu; Hengxi Chen; Qihui Chen; Cong Liu; Kwanghae Noh; Haiqing Yao; Masaya Kotaki; Hung-Jue Sue

Nano Materials Science (Sep 2022)

Fracture behavior of hybrid epoxy nanocomposites based on multi-walled carbon nanotube and core-shell rubber

Zewen Zhu,
Hengxi Chen,
Qihui Chen,
Cong Liu,
Kwanghae Noh,
Haiqing Yao,
Masaya Kotaki,
Hung-Jue Sue

Affiliations

Zewen Zhu: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-3003, USA
Hengxi Chen: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-3003, USA
Qihui Chen: School of Materials Science and Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan, 030051, PR China
Cong Liu: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-3003, USA
Kwanghae Noh: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-3003, USA
Haiqing Yao: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-3003, USA
Masaya Kotaki: Kaneka US Materials Research Center, Fremont, CA, 94555, USA
Hung-Jue Sue: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-3003, USA; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 4, no. 3
pp. 251 – 258

Abstract

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The dispersion of nanoparticles plays a key role in enhancing the mechanical performance of polymer nanocomposites. In this work, one hybrid epoxy nanocomposite reinforced by a well dispersed, zinc oxide functionalized, multi-wall carbon nanotube (ZnO-MWCNT) and core-shell rubber (CSR) was prepared, which possesses both high modulus and fracture toughness while maintaining relatively high glass transition temperature (Tg). The improved fracture toughness from 0.82 MPa m1/2 for neat epoxy to 1.46 MPa m1/2 for the ternary epoxy nanocomposites is resulted from a series of synergistic toughening mechanisms, including cavitation of CSR-induced matrix shear banding, along with the fracture of MWCNTs and crack deflection. The implication of the present study for the preparation of high-performance polymer nanocomposites is discussed.

Published in Nano Materials Science

ISSN: 2589-9651 (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Technology: Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/nano-materials-science/

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