Thermally reduced graphene oxide acting as a trap for multiwall carbon nanotubes in bi-filler epoxy composites

Journal
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing  
Volume
49
Start Page
51
End Page
57
Citation
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing (49): 51-57 (2013)
Publisher DOI
10.1016/j.compositesa.2013.02.008
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84875132256
Publisher
Elsevier
The effect of thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRGO) on the electrical percolation threshold of multi wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/epoxy cured composites is studied along with their combined rheological/electrical behavior in their suspension state. In contrast to MWCNT and carbon black (CB) based epoxy composites, there is no prominent percolation threshold for the bi-filler (TRGO-MWCNT/epoxy) composite. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the bi-filler composite is two orders of magnitude lower (∼1 × 10 -5 S/m) than the pristine MWCNT/epoxy composites (∼1 × 10-3 S/m). This result is primarily due to the strong interaction between TRGO and MWCNTs. Optical micrographs of the suspension and scanning electron micrographs of the cured composites indicate trapping of MWCNTs onto TRGO sheets. A morphological model describing this interaction is presented.
Subjects
A. Polymer matrix composites (PMCs)
B. Electrical properties
B. Rheological properties
DDC Class
540: Chemie
More Funding Information
DAAD-SIEMENS
German Federation of Materials Science and Engineering (BV MatWerk)
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)