Effect of Amide Functionalization and Precuring on Tensile Properties of MWCNT/Epoxy Nanocomposites

The development of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-epoxy nanocomposites, for structural polymeric composites, has various problems that could decrease their mechanical properties above 2 wt% of MWCNT. One of the major problems is the interface bonding between MWCNT and epoxy. In this research, functionalization and precuring were carried out to strengthen the interface bonding. The effect of treatments on tensile properties of MWCNT-epoxy nanocomposites, with 1 wt% and 5 wt% MWCNT, were studied. MWCNT were prepared by purification process followed by acrylamide functionalization, later varied by the precuring treatment. MWCNT-epoxy nanocomposites, varied from 1 to 5 wt% MWCNT, were produced by solution casting method, continued with compression molding. Characterization of the functionalization was conducted by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The tensile properties of nanocomposites were determined by tensile test. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to examine the interfacial strength of MWCNT in nanocomposites. The results showed that the tensile properties improved significantly on 5 wt % MWCNT nanocomposites as compared to the untreated nanocomposites. The combination of functionalization and precuring exhibited the most significant improvement in tensile properties. The modulus of elasticity increased 78 times higher than untreated nanocomposites, while the tensile strength was 10 times. The improvements on the tensile properties of nanocomposites were due to the enhancement of interface bonding strength by functionalization and precuring treatments.