Development of composites incorporating carbon nanofibers and nanotubes

Nanocomposites provide significantly increased modulus, thermal, and electrical properties when compared to traditional reinforced composites. Present work was undertaken to study the microstructure, thermal, and electrical properties of carbon nanostructured reinforced polymer matrix composites. Composites were made with carbon nanofibers and nanotubes (produced by CVD method) as reinforcement with thermoplastic polymers as matrices. The amount of nanoreinforcements was varied between 1 to 5 wt% in different matrices. The problems associated with dispersion of reinforcing materials have been studied. Dispersion of nanofillers in thermoplastics, microstructures, and thermal stability of the reinforced thermoplastics have been studied using SEM, DSC, and TGA. Experimental results show that small amount of carbon nanofillers present in thermoplastic matrix systems enhance the thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of the composites.