Tunable mechanical properties of MWCNT-glass fiber fabric reinforced epoxy composites by controlling MWCNTs dispersing conditions

A novel, simple and cost-effective method, which is capable of easily tailoring the dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), was developed here to fabricate the MWCNT-glass fiber fabric (MWCNT-GFf) multiscale composites with tunable mechanical properties. MWCNTs were dispersed into the commercial GFfs through the combined effect of the ultrasound and amino silane (AS) firstly, followed by a resin infusion process. By tuning the ultrasonic power and AS concentration, it is possible to control the MWCNTs dispersion level and subsequently mechanical properties of resultant composite. Making use of optimal dispersion conditions, which involves the optimal combination of ultrasonic power and AS concentration, the interlaminar shear strength of MWCNT-GFf reinforced composites was dramatically increased by 40.5%, and the storage modulus in the glassy region and rubbery region was improved by 27.7% and 125.0%, respectively. The work demonstrates the great promise of this novel method toward practical, industrial application in manufacturing fiber-reinforced composites with superior mechanical properties. [GRAPHICS] .