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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2021) | Viewed by 16702

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Prof. Dr. Anna Boczkowska

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Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: composites; polymers processing; characterization of polymer-based composites; fibre reinforced plastics, nanocomposites, conductive polymers; epoxy-bsaed composites; thermoplastic processing
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Special Issue Information

The Special Issue “Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanocomposites” will address advances in materials science, processing, characterization, technology development, and application of nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are widely studied due to their outstanding properties, i.e., high mechanical strength, thermal and electrical conductivity, and resistance to high temperature. The advantage of CNTs is also their light weight. The combination of the mentioned properties together with an aspect ratio in a range of several thousand makes CNTs promising candidates as reinforcement for polymer, metal or ceramic composites. In order to achieve the full potential of CNTs, two critical issues have to be solved: (i) the homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in the matrix and (ii) the interfacial bonding between the CNTs and the matrix. The majority of papers and application of CNTs are dedicated to polymer matrix nanocomposites. However, recently, there have also been extensive studies on the introduction of CNTs to metal or ceramic matrices. Original papers are solicited on production technologies of CNT-based nanocomposites with all types of matrices. The main problem in the application of CNT-based nanocomposites is the repeatability of the material properties, filtration and re-agglomeration of nanofiller, difficult processability, and in many cases, safety regulations. Of particular interest are recent developments in advanced composites, processes, characterization, and design. Articles and reviews dealing with CNT-based polymer, metal, and ceramic matrix nanocomposites for different market applications, including automotive, aerospace, energy storage, and fuel cells are very welcome.

Prof. Anna Boczkowska
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Carbon nanotubes
Polymer matrix–carbon nanotube nanocomposites
Metal matrix–carbon nanotube nanocomposites
Ceramic matrix–carbon nanotube nanocomposites
Processing
Characterization
Designing
Application

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 2666 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Strain on Heating Characteristics of Silicone/CNT Composites

by Minoj Gnanaseelan, Kristin Trommer, Maik Gude, Rafal Stanik, Bartlomiej Przybyszewski, Rafal Kozera and Anna Boczkowska

Materials 2021, 14(16), 4528; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14164528 - 12 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1593

Abstract

In this work, silicone/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites were produced using a spread coating process, followed by morphological investigations and determination of their electrical properties and heating behaviour through the application of electric potential. Composites containing varying amounts of CNT (1–7%) were investigated for their thermal behaviour with the use of an IR camera. Subsequently, thermal behaviour and electrical properties were measured when the samples were stretched (up to 20%). With the 7% CNT composites, which had a conductivity of 106 S/m, it was possible to achieve a temperature of 155 °C at a relatively low voltage of 23 V. For high CNT contents, when the potential was controlled in such a way as to maintain the temperature well below 100 °C, the temperature remained almost constant at all levels of strain investigated. At higher potentials yielding temperatures around 100 °C and above, stretching had a drastic effect on temperature. These results are critical for designing composites for dynamic applications requiring a material whose properties remain stable under strain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanocomposites)

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15 pages, 2157 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Epoxy Composites Modified by Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

by Paweł Smoleń, Tomasz Czujko, Zenon Komorek, Dominik Grochala, Anna Rutkowska and Małgorzata Osiewicz-Powęzka

Materials 2021, 14(12), 3325; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14123325 - 16 Jun 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2395

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the mechanical and electrical properties of epoxy resins and epoxy composites. The research concerns multiwalled carbon nanotubes obtained by catalytic chemical vapor deposition, subjected to purification processes and covalent functionalization by depositing functional groups on their surfaces. The study included the analysis of the change in DC resistivity, tensile strength, strain, and Young’s modulus with the addition of carbon nanotubes in the range of 0 to 2.5 wt.%. The effect of agents intended to increase the affinity of the nanomaterial to the polymer on the aforementioned properties was also investigated. The addition of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes allowed us to obtain electrically conductive materials. For all materials, the percolation threshold was obtained with 1% addition of multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and filling the polymer with a higher content of carbon nanotubes increased its conductivity. The use of carbon nanotubes as polymer reinforcement allows higher values of tensile strength and a higher strain percentage to be achieved. In contrast, Young’s modulus values did not increase significantly, and higher nanofiller percentages resulted in a drastic decrease in the values of the abovementioned properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanocomposites)

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17 pages, 11125 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Viscosity, Microstructure and Electrical Conductivity in Copolyamide Hot Melt Adhesives Containing Carbon Nanotubes

by Paulina Latko-Durałek, Rafał Kozera, Jan Macutkevič, Kamil Dydek and Anna Boczkowska

Materials 2020, 13(20), 4469; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13204469 - 9 Oct 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2191

Abstract

The polymeric adhesive used for the bonding of thermoplastic and thermoset composites forms an insulating layer which causes a real problem for lightning strike protection. In order to make that interlayer electrically conductive, we studied a new group of electrically conductive adhesives based on hot melt copolyamides and multi-walled carbon nanotubes fabricated by the extrusion method. The purpose of this work was to test four types of hot melts to determine the effect of their viscosity on the dispersion of 7 wt % multi-walled carbon nanotubes and electrical conductivity. It was found that the dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, understood as the amount of the agglomerates in the copolyamide matrix, is not dependent on the level of the viscosity of the polymer. However, the electrical conductivity, analyzed by four-probe method and dielectric spectroscopy, increases when the number of carbon nanotube agglomerates decreases, with the highest value achieved being 0.67 S/m. The inclusion of 7 wt % multi-walled carbon nanotubes into each copolyamide improved their thermal stability and changed their melting points by only a few degrees. The addition of carbon nanotubes makes the adhesive’s surface more hydrophilic or hydrophobic depending on the type of copolyamide used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanocomposites)

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10 pages, 5748 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of the Carbon Nanofillers Addition on Rheology and Absorption Ability of Composite Shear Thickening Fluids

by Paulina Nakonieczna-Dąbrowska, Rafał Wróblewski, Magdalena Płocińska and Marcin Leonowicz

Materials 2020, 13(17), 3870; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13173870 - 2 Sep 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2179

Abstract

Synthesis and characterization of composite shear thickening fluids (STFs) containing carbon nanofillers are presented. Shear thickening fluids have attracted particular scientific and technological interest due to their unique ability to abruptly increase viscosity in the case of a sudden impact. The fluids have been developed as a potential component of products with high energy absorbing efficiency. This study reports on the rheological behavior, stability, and microstructure of the STFs modified with the following carbon nanofillers: multi-walled carbon nanotubes, reduced graphene oxide, graphene oxide, and carbon black. In the current experiment, the basic STF was made as a suspension of silica particles with a diameter of 500 nm in polypropylene glycol and with a molar mass of 2000 g/mol. The STF was modified with carbon nanofillers in the following proportions: 0.05, 0.15, and 0.25 vol.%. The addition of the carbon nanofillers modified the rheological behavior and impact absorption ability; for the STF containing 0.25 vol.% of carbon nanotubes, an increase of force absorption up to 12% was observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanocomposites)

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24 pages, 7689 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparing Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Halloysite Nanotubes as Reinforcements in EVA Nanocomposites

by Agata Zubkiewicz, Anna Szymczyk, Piotr Franciszczak, Agnieszka Kochmanska, Izabela Janowska and Sandra Paszkiewicz

Materials 2020, 13(17), 3809; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13173809 - 28 Aug 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2469

Abstract

The influence of carbon multi-walled nanotubes (MWCNTs) and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) on the physical, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) copolymer was investigated. EVA-based nanocomposites containing MWCNTs or HNTs, as well as hybrid nanocomposites containing both nanofillers were prepared by melt blending. Scanning electron microcopy (SEM) images revealed the presence of good dispersion of both kinds of nanotubes throughout the EVA matrix. The incorporation of nanotubes into the EVA copolymer matrix did not significantly affect the crystallization behavior of the polymer. The tensile strength of EVA-based nanocomposites increased along with the increasing CNTs (carbon nanotubes) content (increased up to approximately 40% at the loading of 8 wt.%). In turn, HNTs increased to a great extent the strain at break. Mechanical cyclic tensile tests demonstrated that nanocomposites with hybrid reinforcement exhibit interesting strengthening behavior. The synergistic effect of hybrid nanofillers on the modulus at 100% and 200% elongation was visible. Moreover, along with the increase of MWCNTs content in EVA/CNTs nanocomposites, an enhancement in electrical conductivity was observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanocomposites)

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17 pages, 4953 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Carbon Nanotubes on the Mechanical Behavior and Porosity of Cement Pastes Prepared by A Dispersion on Cement Particles in Isopropanol Suspension

by Vanessa Vilela Rocha and Péter Ludvig

Materials 2020, 13(14), 3164; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13143164 - 15 Jul 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2005

Abstract

Cement composites prepared with nanoparticles have been widely studied in order to achieve superior performance structures. The incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is an excellent alternative due to their mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. However, effective dispersion is essential to ensure strength gains. In the present work, cement pastes were prepared incorporating CNTs in proportions up to 0.10% by weight of cement, dispersed on the surface of anhydrous cement particles in isopropanol suspension and using ultrasonic agitation. Digital image correlation was employed to obtain basic mechanical parameters of three-point bending tests. The results indicated a 34% gain in compressive strength and 12% in flexural tensile strength gains, respectively, as well as a 70% gain in fracture energy and 14% in fracture toughness in the presence of 0.05% CNTs were recorded. These results suggest that CNTs act as crack propagation controllers. Moreover, CNT presence contributes to pore volume reduction, increases the density of cement pastes, and suggests that CNTs additionally act as nucleation sites of the cement hydration products. Scanning electron microscopy images indicate effective dispersion as a result of the methodology adopted, plus strong bonding between CNTs and the cement hydration product. Therefore, CNTs can be used to obtain more resistant and durable cement-based composites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanocomposites)

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17 pages, 7747 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of MWCNTs on Wear Behavior of Epoxy Resin for Aircraft Applications

by Mateusz Mucha, Aneta Krzyzak, Ewelina Kosicka, Emerson Coy, Mikołaj Kościński, Tomasz Sterzyński and Michał Sałaciński

Materials 2020, 13(12), 2696; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13122696 - 12 Jun 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 3090

Abstract

The aim of the study is to assess the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the wear behavior of MWCNT-doped epoxy resin. In this study, a laminating resin system designed to meet the standards for motor planes was modified with MWCNTs at mass fractions from 0.0 wt.% to 2.0 wt.%. The properties of the carbon nanotubes were determined in Raman spectroscopy and HR-TEM. An examination of wear behavior was conducted on a linear abraser with a visual inspection on an optical microscope and SEM imaging, mass loss measurement, and evaluation of the wear volume on a profilometer. Moreover, the mechanical properties of MWCNTs/epoxy nanocomposite were evaluated through a tensile test and Shore D hardness test. The study shows that the best wear resistance is achieved for the mass percentage between 0.25 wt.% and 0.5 wt.%. For the same range, the tensile strength reaches the highest values and the hardness the lowest values. Together with surface imaging and a topography analysis, this allowed describing the wear behavior in the friction node and the importance of the properties of the epoxy nanocomposite. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanocomposites)

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