Preparation and properties of polyamide/epoxy/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposite

Abstract

Nanocomposite composed of amine-terminated polyamide (an aramid)/bisphenol A diglycidyl ether epoxy matrix and functionalized and non-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube have been fabricated. Polyamide/bisphenol A diglycidyl ether/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposite was cured at 120℃ with different filler content. In order to investigate the influence of functional filler on nanocomposite properties, morphological, mechanical and thermal profile of polyamide/bisphenol A diglycidyl ether nanocomposite with varying multi-walled carbon nanotube content were studied. Functional multi-walled carbon nanotube-reinforced nanocomposite showed greater strengthening at all weight percent as they actively control the failure mechanism; 5 wt% functional multi-walled carbon nanotube-based sample showed 62% improvement in toughness i.e. area under the stress–strain curve (35.6 J/m³) relative to non-functional (13.7 J/m³) nanocomposite. The ultimate tensile strength also improved from 39.2 to 59.7 MPa. The multi-walled carbon nanotube ratio was an interesting feature significantly influencing the properties of polyamide/bisphenol A diglycidyl ether/multi-walled carbon nanotube due to the contribution of hydrogen bonding and π-π staking between the matrix and filler. Thermal stability consistently increased with amalgamation of functional multi-walled carbon nanotube in the polyamide/bisphenol A diglycidyl ether matrix (T₀ 523–565℃; T_g 247–253℃) over polyamide/bisphenol A diglycidyl ether /non-functional multi-walled carbon nanotube (T₀ 499℃; T_g 246℃). Novelty of the research lies in exclusive architecture, exceptional heat stability and mechanical properties of aramid/epoxy-based nanocomposite.