Mechanical properties of multiwall carbon nanotubes/epoxy composites: influence of network morphology Original Research Article

Different types of catalytically grown multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were dispersed in an epoxy resin, and then the mechanical properties of the MWNTs–epoxy composites were tested. MWNTs were synthesized by catalytic decomposition of acetylene either on a CoxMg(1 − x)O solid solution or on a Co/NaY supported catalyst at 600 °C. MWNTs surface functionalization by chemical treatment allows a better dispersion of nanotubes in the epoxy matrix. Tensile tests were performed on composites made of an epoxy resin loaded with 1, 3 or 6 wt.% MWNTs. We discuss the influence of the MWNTs network entanglement, characterized by its porosity, and nanotube concentration on the composite mechanical properties.