Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Oxide-Based Epoxy Hybrid Nanocomposites: Investigation of Nanofiller Modification Effect

Abstract

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are important nanomaterials utilized in various research and technological applications. Graphene oxide (GO) is another fascinating material that can be effectively applied in various fields, including nanocomposite materials, energy storage, biomedical applications, and catalysis. This study first examined the effect of hybridizing a 1:1 wt ratio mixture of modified carboxyl-functionalized MWCNTs (MWCNTCOOH) and graphene oxide (GO) nanofillers on the properties of novel epoxy resin (ER)based composites. GO was synthesized from graphite. The surface modification of both nanoparticles was performed using polyaniline (PANI) and/or ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (IL). The hybrid reinforcement ratio in ER ranged from 0.5 % to 2 % by weight. At the reinforcement ratio of 1.5 wt%, the increase in tensile strength of all nanocomposites compared to ER varied between 22.2 % and 62.8 %. Modification with PANI showed improved mechanical, thermal, and electrical conductivity, as well as enhanced durability in hot water compared to IL. Additionally, PANI and IL further increased the chemical resistance of the hybrid nanocomposites. The highest and lowest glass transition temperatures (Tg) correspond to the 1.5 wt% PANIMWCNTCOOH/ GO (108.60 degrees C) and the IL-MWCNTCOOH/ GO (97.99 degrees C) hybrid nanocomposites, respectively. The electrical conductivity ranges in value from 6.9 x 10-8 to 1.22 x 10-4 S/cm, depending on the hybrid nanocomposite type. The nanocomposites demonstrated superior UV resistance compared to ER, showing an absorbance range of 0.305 to 1.391 a.u. Furthermore, the ANOVA test demonstrated the impact of the hybrid filler type and ratio on the nanocomposite's mechanical properties.