Controlling dispersion and electric-field-assisted alignment of carbon nanotubes and nanofibers for multi-functional epoxy composites.

摘要

The objective of this investigation is to enhance the elastic modulus and tailor the electrical conductivity of nanoreinforced epoxy composites. The resin employed in this investigation is a bisphenol F epoxide with an aromatic diamine curative, extensively used for high performance composites. The nanofillers are unfunctionalized and functionalized carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The objectives are achieved by controlling the dispersion and alignment of unfunctionalized and functionalized CNFs and CNTs. The process of ultrasonic agitation was used to disperse nanofillers in epoxy resin. The dispersed nanofillers were aligned using alternating current electric field (AC).;Continuous use of ultrasonic agitation reduced the lengths, and increased the degree of dispersion of CNFs and CNTs. The parameters of the ultrasonic agitation process were optimized to minimize the reduction in CNF and CNT lengths while achieving good dispersion of CNFs and CNTs in the resin. The composites manufactured with well dispersed CNFs and CNTs increased the elastic modulus as expected based on the theory of short fiber reinforced composites.;The alignment and chaining of CNFs and CNTs dispersed in resin were investigated by experiments and modeling. The assembly of chains was found to depend on the frequency of AC electric field used. The mechanism of CNF/CNT chain assembly and growth in a low viscosity epoxy was investigated by developing a finite element model of a chain attached to an electrode. The model includes the combined effects of electrostatic and electro-hydrodynamic forces on chain morphology. The electro-hydrodynamic forces are modeled using the theory of AC electroosmosis. Predictions of the model are compared to experimental results. The experiments were conducted on a CNF/epoxide/curative mixture by applying an AC field at frequencies ranging from 100 -- 100,000 Hz. Predictions of the model qualitatively capture the variations of chain morphology and growth rate as functions of AC frequency. Higher frequencies promote a more uniform and denser network of chains. The rate of growth of chains is highest at an intermediate frequency. A uniform network of chains was observed at frequencies of 1 kHz and greater in the experiments. The rate of growth of chains was maximized at a frequency of 1 kHz for a liquid viscosity of 0.03 Pa˙s.;Based on the knowledge of chaining mechanisms, networks of aligned CNFs and CNTs were developed over a 25-mm distance in CNF and CNT epoxy composites. This distance is roughly an order of magnitude greater than previously reported distances obtained with AC electric fields and was accomplished without highly sophisticated electrical equipment. A wide range of anisotropy in direct current (DC) resistivity of CNT/epoxy and CNT/glass fiber/epoxy composites was engineered by using electric fields at different frequencies. The use of AC and DC electric fields in manufacturing buckypapers of aligned CNFs and CNTs was explored. The methods developed to use DC and AC electric fields were found unsuitable for making functional buckypapers with aligned CNFs and CNTs.