Silver particles modified carbon nanotube paper/glassfiber reinforced polymer composite material for high temperature infrared stealth camouflage

The high temperature infrared stealth glassfiber reinforced polymer composite based on silver particles modified carbon nanotube paper (SMCNP) material is fabricated successfully by a facile method, which possesses thin, lightweight, broad wavelength band and low infrared emissivity features. The conductivity increases 673% after being modified by small amount silver particles retaining the original mechanical property. Infrared emissivity decreases more than 38.9-55.7% from 0.85 to 0.65 in 3-5 mu m and 0.45 to 0.2 in 8-14 mu m, respectively. The specific radiant energy decreases by 43.2% in full wavelength after modified and the radiant power maximally reduce 72.5%. Above all, compare with the as-prepared CNP, the SMCNP broaden the absorption wavelength of the infrared spectra, especially in the range of 3-5 mu m indicating the silver particles have significant contribution to increase the property. Considering the engineering application, this modified material was integrated with engineering matrix material, using glassfiber prepreg as an example, and still showed excellent energy saving results. Therefore, the SMCNP is a progressive candidate for infrared stealth application. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.