Ultrasonic processing of MWCNT nanopaper reinforced polymeric nanocomposites

This work presents an ultrasonic-assisted approach for fast impregnation of thermoset and thermoplastic polymers including solvent-free epoxy resins, polydimethylsiloxane resins, and polypropylene into multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanopapers to prepare nanocomposites or prepregs with high lo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymer (Guilford) 2018-11, Vol.156, p.85-94
Main Authors: Zhao, Yanan, Cabrera, Eusebio Duarte, Zhang, Dan, Sun, Jingyao, Kuang, Tairong, Yang, Willie, Lertola, Matthew J., Benatar, Avraham, Castro, Jose M., Lee, L. James
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dispersion
Epoxy
Epoxy resins
Erosion resistance
Impregnation
Infiltration
Mechanical properties
Multi wall carbon nanotubes
Multifunctional nanocomposite prepreg/tape with high MWCNT loading
MWCNT nanopaper
Nanocomposites
Nanotubes
Polydimethylsiloxane
Polymers
Polypropylene
Prepregs
Resin transfer molding
Scratch resistance
Thermal properties
Thermal resistance
Thermodynamic properties
Thermoplastics
Thermosetting resins
Ultrasonic processing
Ultrasonic testing
Ultrasonic-assisted resin impregnation
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Summary:This work presents an ultrasonic-assisted approach for fast impregnation of thermoset and thermoplastic polymers including solvent-free epoxy resins, polydimethylsiloxane resins, and polypropylene into multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanopapers to prepare nanocomposites or prepregs with high loading (>20 wt%) of well-dispersed MWCNTs, not achievable by the conventional compounding or resin transfer molding methods. The approach involves making MWCNTs into macroscopic paper-like sheets (also called “nanopapers”) via a dispersion-filtration method and then impregnating the mesoporous nanopapers with polymeric resins using an ultrasonic infiltration method to form a prepreg or nanocomposite. The formed nanocomposites revealed an excellent combination of mechanical strength, sand erosion and scratch resistance, electrical and thermal properties, and good processing flexibility. •A cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally friendly process for CNT nanopaper production via filtration was developed.•An ultrasonic infiltration method was developed to infiltrate resins into CNT nanopapers to make prepreg nanotapes.•The composites showed improved abrasion/scratch resistance, heat release, EMI shielding, and processing flexibility.•The prepreg has potential uses in automotive, sporting goods, mobile electronics, wind energy, and aerospace markets.
ISSN:0032-3861
1873-2291
DOI:10.1016/j.polymer.2018.09.053