Carbon nanotubes agglomeration in reinforced composites: A review

Abstract

Carbon nano tubes (CNTs), comprising one dimensional (1D) carbon tubes that significantly strengthen the base matrix when added as a reinforcement element. It is light in weight and very low weight fractions (vol% or wt%) of well-dispersed CNTs enhance mechanical properties effectively. Due to its poor wettability during liquid mixing, CNTs reinforced composites are mostly prepared by solid-state processing, extrusion, hot pressing, etc. after premixing of the matrix and CNTs powders in nano size. Irrespective of the production routes, matrices, and chemical treatments, CNTs agglomerate within the matrix structure. That leads to dispersion problem of CNTs in matrix materials and weaken the properties of the composites. CNTs produce small clusters/agglomerates due to their high affinity and affect the texture of grain boundaries. This review discusses the effect of CNTs agglomerations in composites formation for various CNTs reinforced composites. The study covers the effect of vol%, wt%, and dispersion medium for reinforcement.