Effects of carbon nanotube functionalization on the mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy composites

Chemically functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/bisphenol-A glycidol ether epoxy resin/2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole composites were prepared. MWCNTs were first treated by a 3:1 (v/v) mixture of concentrated H2SO4/HNO3, and then triethylenetetramine (TETA) grafting was carried out. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis proved the effectiveness of H2SO4/HNO3 treatment and confirmed the TETA functionalization mechanism. Chemical functionalization decreases the crystalline content of MWCNTs, however, it did not greatly disrupt their structure. Transmission electron microscopy showed that there was a TETA thin layer on the MWCNT surface, which contributes to the homogenous dispersion of MWCNTs in epoxy matrix and the improvement of the MWCNT–epoxy interfacial interaction. Thus the impact strength, bending strength and thermal conductivity of the composites are enhanced.