Improved impact strength of epoxy by the addition of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes and reactive diluent

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), both oxidized and amine functionalized (triethylenetetramineTETA), have been used to improve the mechanical properties of nanocomposites based on epoxy resin. The TGA and XPS analysis allowed the evaluation of the degree of chemical modification on MWCNTs. Nanocomposites were manufactured by a three-roll milling process with 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 wt % of MWCNT-COOH and MWCNT-COTETA. A series of nanocomposites with 5.0 wt % of reactive diluent was also prepared. Tensile and impact tests were conducted to evaluate the effects of the nanofillers and diluent on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. The results showed higher gains (258% increase) in the impact strength for nanocomposites manufactured with aminated MWCNTs. Optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to investigate the overall filler distribution, the dispersion of individual nanotubes, and the interface adhesion on the nanocomposites. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42587.