Mechanical properties and microstructure of single-wall carbon nanotube/elastomeric epoxy composites with block copolymers

•Block copolymer (BCP) was used to disperse SWNTs in an elastomeric epoxy matrix.•We measured the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite material.•We characterised the microstructure by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).•Dispersion and load transfer between SWNTs and matrix improved when BCP was used.•The BCP acts as dispersing and interfacial-binding agent due to its amphiphilicity.

Single-wall carbon-nanotube (SWNT) reinforced elastomeric epoxy composites were fabricated by adding 0.03 wt% SWNTs and using 0.3 wt% block copolymer to obtain a good dispersion of carbon nanotubes in the epoxy matrix. Young׳s modulus, fracture stress and strain of the SWNT/epoxy composites with block copolymer were increased by 141%, 127% and 43%, respectively, compared to the pure epoxy resin. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that using the block copolymer as a dispersing agent significantly improved both SWNT dispersion in the epoxy matrix and interfacial bonding/load transfer.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide