Effects of carboxylated carbon nanotubes on the phase separation behaviour and fracture-mechanical properties of an epoxy/polysulfone blend

Nan Zheng; Weifu Sun; Hong Yuan Liu; Yudong Huang; Jiefeng Gao; Yiu Wing Mai

doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.02.039

Effects of carboxylated carbon nanotubes on the phase separation behaviour and fracture-mechanical properties of an epoxy/polysulfone blend

Nan Zheng, Weifu Sun, Hong Yuan Liu, Yudong Huang, Jiefeng Gao, Yiu Wing Mai

Research output: Journal article publication › Journal article › Academic research › peer-review

55 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Epoxy resins are inherently brittle caused by their highly cross-linked network structure. Herein, we report an effective method of toughening without loss of mechanical properties. Carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNT-COOHs) were added to an epoxy (EP)/polysulfone (PSF) blend to control the phase separation behavior, fracture toughness and mechanical properties of the resultant ternary composites. Although CNT-COOHs did not change the phase separation mechanism of the EP/PSF blend they had an important influence on the final phase morphology. Rheological analysis showed that the complex viscosity and the cure-reaction rate of EP/PSF were increased by adding CNT-COOHs, leading to a significant suppression of the phase separation process which stopped at an earlier stage. Also, the fracture, mechanical and thermal properties of the EP/PSF/CNT-COOH composites were found to be increased due to the presence of CNT-COOHs.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	180-188
Number of pages	9
Journal	Composites Science and Technology
Volume	159
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.02.039
Publication status	Published - 3 May 2018
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Carbon nanotubes
Mechanical properties
Polymers
Rheology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ceramics and Composites
General Engineering

More information

10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.02.039

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title = "Effects of carboxylated carbon nanotubes on the phase separation behaviour and fracture-mechanical properties of an epoxy/polysulfone blend",

abstract = "Epoxy resins are inherently brittle caused by their highly cross-linked network structure. Herein, we report an effective method of toughening without loss of mechanical properties. Carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNT-COOHs) were added to an epoxy (EP)/polysulfone (PSF) blend to control the phase separation behavior, fracture toughness and mechanical properties of the resultant ternary composites. Although CNT-COOHs did not change the phase separation mechanism of the EP/PSF blend they had an important influence on the final phase morphology. Rheological analysis showed that the complex viscosity and the cure-reaction rate of EP/PSF were increased by adding CNT-COOHs, leading to a significant suppression of the phase separation process which stopped at an earlier stage. Also, the fracture, mechanical and thermal properties of the EP/PSF/CNT-COOH composites were found to be increased due to the presence of CNT-COOHs.",

keywords = "Carbon nanotubes, Mechanical properties, Polymers, Rheology",

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T1 - Effects of carboxylated carbon nanotubes on the phase separation behaviour and fracture-mechanical properties of an epoxy/polysulfone blend

AU - Zheng, Nan

AU - Sun, Weifu

AU - Liu, Hong Yuan

AU - Huang, Yudong

AU - Gao, Jiefeng

AU - Mai, Yiu Wing

PY - 2018/5/3

Y1 - 2018/5/3

N2 - Epoxy resins are inherently brittle caused by their highly cross-linked network structure. Herein, we report an effective method of toughening without loss of mechanical properties. Carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNT-COOHs) were added to an epoxy (EP)/polysulfone (PSF) blend to control the phase separation behavior, fracture toughness and mechanical properties of the resultant ternary composites. Although CNT-COOHs did not change the phase separation mechanism of the EP/PSF blend they had an important influence on the final phase morphology. Rheological analysis showed that the complex viscosity and the cure-reaction rate of EP/PSF were increased by adding CNT-COOHs, leading to a significant suppression of the phase separation process which stopped at an earlier stage. Also, the fracture, mechanical and thermal properties of the EP/PSF/CNT-COOH composites were found to be increased due to the presence of CNT-COOHs.

AB - Epoxy resins are inherently brittle caused by their highly cross-linked network structure. Herein, we report an effective method of toughening without loss of mechanical properties. Carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNT-COOHs) were added to an epoxy (EP)/polysulfone (PSF) blend to control the phase separation behavior, fracture toughness and mechanical properties of the resultant ternary composites. Although CNT-COOHs did not change the phase separation mechanism of the EP/PSF blend they had an important influence on the final phase morphology. Rheological analysis showed that the complex viscosity and the cure-reaction rate of EP/PSF were increased by adding CNT-COOHs, leading to a significant suppression of the phase separation process which stopped at an earlier stage. Also, the fracture, mechanical and thermal properties of the EP/PSF/CNT-COOH composites were found to be increased due to the presence of CNT-COOHs.

KW - Carbon nanotubes

KW - Mechanical properties

KW - Polymers

KW - Rheology

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U2 - 10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.02.039

DO - 10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.02.039

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SN - 0266-3538

VL - 159

SP - 180

EP - 188

JO - Composites Science and Technology

JF - Composites Science and Technology

ER -

Effects of carboxylated carbon nanotubes on the phase separation behaviour and fracture-mechanical properties of an epoxy/polysulfone blend

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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