The effect of a doubly modified carbon nanotube derivative on the microstructure of epoxy resin

The surface of multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was first covalently functionalized with oleyl amine and then non-covalently wrapped with polycarbosilane (PCS). The hybrid functional groups were chosen to introduce different features in the MWCNTs properties. For covalent functionalization a long chain unsaturated aliphatic amine was used to simultaneously achieve the dissociation of MWCNT bundles along with the dispersion and interaction with the host matrix using the amide functionality and double bond. On the other hand, a thermally stable polymer was selected which can interact with both resin and glass fabric to promote interfacial adhesion. This hybrid doubly modified MWCNT is thus possesses duel advantages in glass fiber based epoxy composite. The pristine, covalent, noncovalent and covalent-noncovalent doubly modified MWCNT systems were used to study the viscoelastic behavior and interactions of functionalized MWCNTs in the matrix above and below the glass transition temperature of the matrix. The PCS coating on the MWCNTs is amorphous and thermally insulating whereas the nanotube is highly graphitized and thermally conducting. This contrasting behavior provides us to insight into the temperature dependant resin microstructure and curing thermodynamics of epoxy resin in the presence of MWCNTs.