Numerical characterization of magnetically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube-Fe3O4 nanoparticle complex

Alignment states of one-dimensional multiwalled carbon nanotubes containing various contents of zero-dimensional ferriferrous oxide nanoparticles (MWCNT-Fe3O4) were numerically characterized. MWCNT-Fe3O4 complexes were successfully prepared via in situ surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization, followed by a coprecipitation process. The complexes showed strong magnetism, which endowed them with the ability to be aligned under the action of an external magnetic field. The intensity of the magnetic field, loading content of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, and viscosity of dispersing medium, however, all had substantial effects on the alignment degree. To evaluate the alignment effectively and quantitatively, an orientation tensor description based on marking the direction of a single MWCNT in a selected region of optical images was employed. The results showed that MWCNT-Fe3O4 complex containing 26 wt % of Fe3O4 nanoparticles achieved a desirable alignment in deionized water under a magnetic field intensity of 0.10 T. Accordingly, epoxy composites reinforced with such aligned MWCNT-Fe3O4 complexes displayed 12.3 and 10.9% enhancement in tensile strength and modulus, as well as 8.9 and 6.1% enhancement in flexural strength and modulus, respectively.