Study of epoxy/CNT nanocomposites prepared via dispersion in the hardener

In this study, carboxylated (SWCNT-c) and pristine (SWCNT) single-walled carbon nanotubes were randomly dispersed in a hardener prior to mixing it with an epoxy resin. The influence of several parameters on the dispersion process were investigated. The produced samples were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dilatometry, dynamic mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscopy and mechanical testing (tensile, flexural and microhardness). The results obtained with the nanocomposites with SWCNT-c suggested that the lowest time and amplitude of sonication ...