Interfacial properties and self-sensing of single carbon fiber reinforced CNT-phenolic nanocomposites using electro-micromechanical and wettability tests

Interfacial and other properties along with self-sensing were investigated for single carbon fiber/neat phenolic resins and carbon nanotube (CNT)-phenolic nanocomposites by electro-micromechanical and wettability tests. The apparent modulus was higher for samples with a single carbon fiber in CNT-phenolic nanocomposite than for samples with a single carbon fiber in neat phenolic resin, indicating better stress transfer. In water droplet contact angle measurements the contact angle increased form slightly less than 90 degrees on neat phenolic resin to more than 90 degrees on CNT-phenolic nanocomposites. This behavior was attributed to hydrophobic domains randomly distributed on the surface as a result of the heterogeneous microstructure of CNT. The work of adhesion between a single carbon fiber and CNT-phenolic nanocomposites was greater than for neat phenolic resin which is attributed to an increase in viscosity by adding CNT. Micro-failure patterns and interfacial adhesion between CNT-phenolic nanocomposites and single carbon fibers were consistent with these other results. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.