Numerical analysis of synergistic reinforcing effect of silica nanoparticle–MWCNT hybrid on epoxy-based composites

A novel nanostructural hybrid (SiO2–MWCNTs) composed of zero-dimensional silica nanoparticles (SiO2) and one-dimensional multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were successfully prepared by multi-step functionalization. Synergistic reinforcing effect of SiO2–MWCNTs on epoxy-based composites was investigated using various theoretical methods. Specifically, a novel finite element method (FEM) based on nanoscale representative volume element (RVE) model was built up to describe the irregular geometry and reinforcing effect of SiO2–MWCNTs. In contrast with the corrected rule of mixtures and corrected Halpin–Tsai equations, the established FEM based on nanoscale RVE model was highly accurate and effective in predicting mechanical properties for polymer-based composites reinforced by SiO2–MWCNTs.