Improving flexural and dielectric properties of MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites by introducing advanced hybrid filler system

In this study, the authors attempted to enhance the flexural and dielectric properties of epoxy resin using advanced carbon nanotube–alumina (CNT–Al2O3) hybrid filler system that was chemically synthesised via chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The hybrid CNT–Al2O3 filled epoxy composite was compared to the physically mixed CNT–Al2O3 filled epoxy composites. The assessment showed that the CNT–Al2O3 hybrid filler produced more homogeneous dispersion in the epoxy matrix with higher flexural and dielectric properties as compared to the physically mixed CNT–Al2O3 filler. The flexural strength, flexural modulus and dielectric constant of CNT–Al2O3 hybrid epoxy composites improved significantly up to 30%, 35% and 20%, respectively, compared to the neat epoxy.