Nano-bridge effects of carbon nanotubes on the properties reinforcement of two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide/polymer composites

Two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) have been widely applied in extremely improving mechanical, thermal and flame-retardant properties of polymer materials, whereas the stacking tendency of TMD nanosheets restricts properties reinforcement. Differing from chemical modification, we report a facile method to settle MoS2 stacking in epoxy (EP) matrix by the usage of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), where MWCNTs prevent MoS2 stacking and bridge isolated MoS2 nanosheets. Nano-bridge effects of MWCNTs contribute to the significant improvements on thermal stability, mechanical and flame-retardant properties of MWCNT-MoS2/EP composites in contrast to MoS2/EP composites. Remarkably, tensile modulus and strength of MWCNT-MoS2/EP composites are increased by 31.7% and 36.5% compared to MoS2/EP composites, respectively. In addition, the compact barrier network composed of MWCNTs and MoS2 nanosheets in MWCNT-MoS2/EP composites restrains the release of pyrolytic products such as flammable hydrocarbon, toxic CO, and aromatic compounds.