Thermal properties enhancement of epoxy resins by incorporating polybenzimidazole nanofibers filled with graphene and carbon nanotubes as reinforcing material

Enhancement of thermal properties of epoxy resins was achieved by incorporation of polybenzimidazole (PBI) fibermats filled with carbon nanomaterials, prepared by the solution electrospinning technique. Different type of carbon nanostructures (carbon nanotubes, graphite flakes, graphene nanoplatelets and carbon black) were compared as fillers in polybenzimidazole fibers. The carbon-PBI-fibermats showed remarkable thermal transport properties and therefore, they were studied as thermal reinforcement material for epoxy composites. Mechanical and thermal properties of produced composites were evaluated and the effectiveness of different types of carbon fillers examined. Results showed that the produced carbon filled fibermats can be used effectively as a thermal reinforcing material in epoxy resins, offering several advantages.