Izod impact performance of hybrid carbon nanotube-alumina filled epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract

In this paper, multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) was hybridized with alumina (Al2O3) particles via chemical vapour deposition using nickel as a metal catalyst. The purpose of hybridization between CNT and Al2O3 particles is to prevent the agglomeration of the CNT due to van der Walls forces as well as to improve the impact performance of the epoxy nanocomposites. The Al2O3 particles work as "transport" for the CNT to homogenously disperse within the epoxy matrix. As a comparative study, the CNT-Al2O3 was also prepared through a physical mixing method. The assessment showed that the CNT-Al2O3 hybrid filler produced more homogeneous dispersion in the epoxy matrix with a higher Izod impact strength than the physically mixed CNT-Al2O3 filler. The izod impact strength of epoxy nanocomposites at 5 % wt of CNT-Al2O3 hybrid has increased up to 32 % compared to the neat epoxy.