High strength toughened epoxy nanocomposite based on poly(ether sulfone)-grafted multi-walled carbon nanotube

Hydroxyl terminated poly(ether sulfone) (PES) has been grafted on multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). The grafting reaction was confirmed by different characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The extent of the grafting was found to be around 58 wt%. Hybrid nanocomposite of epoxy with the modified MWCNT was also prepared. Effect of grafting on the mechanical, thermal, and viscoelastic properties was studied. Dynamic mechanical studies show an increase in the storage odulus for the nanocomposite prepared using PES-grafted MWCNT compared with neat epoxy system. PES-grafted MWCNT-epoxy nanocomposite induces a significant increase in both tensile strength (26%) and fracture toughness (125%) of the epoxy matrix. Field emission scanning electron micrographs of fractured surfaces were examined to understand the toughening mechanism. Copyright (C) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.