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Effect of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) Functionalization on Dispersion, Mechanical, and Corrosion Properties of CNT/Epoxy Nanocomposites

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Abstract

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/epoxy nanocomposites have a great potential of possessing many advanced properties. However, the homogenization of CNT dispersion is still a great challenge in the research field of nanocomposites. This study applied a novel dispersion agent, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), to functionalize CNTs and improve CNT dispersion in epoxy. The effectiveness of the CMC functionalization was compared with mechanical mixing and a commonly used surfactant, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (NaDDBS), regarding dispersion, mechanical and corrosion properties of CNT/epoxy nanocomposites with three different CNT concentrations (0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5%). The experimental results of Raman spectroscopy, particle size analysis and transmission electron microscopy showed that CMC functionalized CNTs reduced CNT cluster sizes more efficiently than NaDDBS functionalized and mechanically mixed CNTs, indicating a better CNT dispersion. The peak particle size of CMC functionalized CNTs reduced as much as 54% (0.1% CNT concentration) and 16% (0.3% CNT concentration), compared to mechanical mixed and NaDDBS functionalized CNTs. Because of the better dispersion, it was found by compressive tests that CNT/epoxy nanocomposites with CMC functionalization resulted in 189% and 66% higher compressive strength, 224% and 50% higher modulus of elasticity than those with mechanical mixing and NaDDBS functionalization respectively (0.1% CNT cencentration). In addition, electrochemical corrosion tests also showed that CNT/epoxy nanocomposites with CMC functionalization achieved lowest corrosion rate (0.214 mpy), the highest corrosion resistance (201.031 Ω·cm2), and the lowest porosity density (0.011%).

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the National Science Foundation (No. CMMI-1750316). The findings and opinions expressed in this study are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors.

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  1. Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, 58108, USA

    Da-Wei Zhang, Leonard Chia & Ying Huang

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  1. Da-Wei Zhang
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Correspondence to Ying Huang.

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Zhang, DW., Chia, L. & Huang, Y. Effect of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) Functionalization on Dispersion, Mechanical, and Corrosion Properties of CNT/Epoxy Nanocomposites. Chin J Polym Sci 41, 1277–1286 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-023-2928-0

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