Measurement of dispersion and homogeneity of functionalized graphene/CNT hybrid epoxy composite

Fabrication of amine-functionalized multi-graphene layers and multi-walled carbon nanotube nanofillers (0.25, 0.50, 1 and 2 wt%) reinforced with epoxy resin has been successfully performed to obtain hybrid epoxy composite. Effect of filler ratio on dispersion and homogeneity of hybrid composite mixture is investigated. Particle size distribution (PSD) pattern and tensile properties of hybrid composite are correlated with the degree of dispersion. The PSD is performed by dynamic light scattering technique and image analysis method. Analyses of scanning electron microscopy images are performed using ImageJ software. The pattern of PSD for composites is found to be similar by both the methods. Hybrid composite reinforced with filler content 0.5 wt% shows best homogeneous mixture. The value of PDI is observed to be lowest by both PSD analysis methods which make agreement of results. Determination of tensile properties shows that maximum tensile stress of 49.91 MPa and elastic modulus of 2302 MPa are obtained for 0.5 wt% composite. Analysis of PSD of composite mixture provides a direction for selecting appropriate filler content and fabrication process.