B-Staged Epoxy/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Thin Films for Composite Reinforcement

B-staged epoxy/single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) nanocomposite thin films at 50% cure were prepared to improve the conductivity and mechanical performance of laminated composites. The SWCNTs were functionalized by oxidation and Subsequent grafting with polyamidoamine generation-zero dendrimers. The epoxy nanocomposites containing SWCNTs were successfully Cast into thin films by the manipulation of the degree of cure and the viscosity of the epoxy. Raman microscopy characterization revealed that the thin films exhibited a high degree of SWCNT dispersion in the epoxy. The B-staged thin films were seamlessly integrated into laminated composite systems upon heating and could serve as interleaves to improve the conductivity and mechanical strength of laminated fiber composite systems. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 290-298, 2009