Thermomechanical properties of multifunctional polymer hybrid nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes and nanosilica

Nanocomposites containing low wt% of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-OXI), nanosilica (NS), and its hybrid (MWCNT-OXI/NS) in epoxy resin were produced and evaluated. The used nanoparticles were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Raman spectroscopy while the nanocomposites were investigated in relation to its morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties. The results demonstrated significant improvements in the storage modulus (E′), glass transition temperature (T_g), and cross link density (CD), for the produced nanocomposites. Increases in thermal conductivity (TC) of up to 85% at 90°C were observed for the nanocomposites containing 1.0 wt% of the hybrid MWCNT-OXI + NS nanofiller, when compared with neat polymer. It was also verified increases in the resistance to plastic deformation for the nanocomposites, maintained the polymer thermal stability with the addition of these nanoparticles. Finally, the use of MWCNT-OXI and NS, combined or not, significantly improved the thermal and mechanical properties of polymer, showing multifunctional characteristics for the produced nanocomposites.