A review on the effect of oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and their hybrid structure on the toughening of epoxy nanocomposites

Epoxy-based polymer nanocomposite is an advanced and high-performance material with numerous applications in automobiles, railways, aerospace, and construction industries. High crosslinking density and inherent brittleness limit its applications. Incorporating the oxide nanoparticles (ONPs) or carbon nanotubes (CNT) or their hybrid structures improves the mechanical properties of the epoxy nanocomposite due to the exceptional properties of nanoscale materials. This review article analyzes and summarizes the effects of ONP, CNT, and their hybrid form on the mechanical properties and toughening mechanisms of epoxy nanocomposite based on the recent experimental findings. The possible challenges of the fabrication of hybrid epoxy nanocomposites have also been covered in this work. This article concludes with the possible solutions for the fabrication of hybrid epoxy nanocomposites for improved mechanical performance and their crucial role in future research. [GRAPHICS] .