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High strength toughened epoxy nanocomposite based on poly(ether sulfone)‐grafted multi‐walled carbon nanotube
Author(s) -
Konnola Raneesh,
Nair C. P. Reghunadhan,
Joseph Kuruvilla
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.3602
Subject(s) - materials science , nanocomposite , epoxy , carbon nanotube , composite material , thermogravimetric analysis , dynamic mechanical analysis , grafting , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , ultimate tensile strength , raman spectroscopy , polymer , chemical engineering , physics , optics , engineering
Hydroxyl terminated poly(ether sulfone) (PES) has been grafted on multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). The grafting reaction was confirmed by different characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The extent of the grafting was found to be around 58 wt%. Hybrid nanocomposite of epoxy with the modified MWCNT was also prepared. Effect of grafting on the mechanical, thermal, and viscoelastic properties was studied. Dynamic mechanical studies show an increase in the storage modulus for the nanocomposite prepared using PES‐grafted MWCNT compared with neat epoxy system. PES‐grafted MWCNT–epoxy nanocomposite induces a significant increase in both tensile strength (26%) and fracture toughness (125%) of the epoxy matrix. Field emission scanning electron micrographs of fractured surfaces were examined to understand the toughening mechanism. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.