Temperature dependent reinforcement efficiency of carbon nanotube in polymer composite

The transcendent mechanical properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) hold the promise of delivering contributory reinforcing effect in soft polymeric materials. But, the built-in-risk of the environmental susceptibility of the CNT/polymer interface should be well explored before certifying it for a particular application. Present investigation reports the reinforcement efficiency of CNT in epoxy as a function of environmental temperature. Nanocomposite with 0.2% CNT, which shows maximum strength and modulus at room temperature, exhibits the poorest strength and modulus at 90 °C. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) has also been carried out to study the variation of thermomechanical properties of nanocomposites with temperature. A decrement in the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer was obtained due to CNT reinforcement upto 0.2%. Post-failure fracture surface analysis was done to underneath the dominating strengthening, toughening and weakening mechanisms.