Multi-functional Reactive Graphitic Nanofibers (r- GNFs)-Epoxy Resin as Matrix for Composites

摘要

Functionalized graphitic nanofibers (GNFs) with 3,4'-oxydianiline (ODA) were reacted with butyl glycidyl ether to produce reactive graphitic nanofibers (r-GNFs). These r-GNFs when mixed with epoxy resin formed a unified matrix system in which the reactive hydrogen of the -OH group could initiate the curing reaction. Notably, the addition of r-GNFs into the epoxy system significantly decreased both the viscosity and surface energy of the pure epoxy. Consequently the wettability of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers with epoxy resin was increased in the presence of r-GNFs. Single fiber and bundle fiber pull-out tests were performed and an improvement in interfacial adhesion between UHMWPE and r-GNF/epoxy matrix system was observed when compared to the baseline UHMWPE/epoxy system. Moreover, the electrical conductivity of the epoxy resin was increased by several orders of magnitude with the addition of these r-GNFs. In this work, epoxy resin systems containing 0.1-0.5 wt% r-GNFs were studied and the epoxy with 0.3 wt% r-GNFs showed the most effective results, indicating an optimum concentration existed for both processing and performance.