A cohesive law for interfaces between multi-wall carbon nanotubes and polymers due to the van der Waals interactions

We have established the cohesive law for interfaces between multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and polymer that are not well bonded and are characterized by the van der Waals force. The cohesive law is obtained in terms of the area density of carbon atoms on CNT walls, number of CNT walls, volume density of CH2 units in the polymer, and parameters in the van der Waals force. The simple, analytical expressions of the cohesive law are useful to study the interaction between multi-wall CNTs and polymer, such as in CNT-reinforced composites.