Impact of water diffusion on electrical properties of epoxy nanocomposites

This study investigates the effects of water ageing at 80 °C on glass fibre hybrid epoxy nanocomposites with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets. Effect of water uptake in the epoxy matrix is mitigated by the inclusion of carbon nanofillers, leading to improved hydrophobic nature. A comparative study is performed on the water uptake of the epoxy-amine matrix cured with aliphatic amine, with 0.4 weight percent of MWCNT and 0.6 weight percent of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). Gravimetric assessment and electrical impedance measurements are carried out over a period of 3000 h to assess water diffusion coefficients and water saturation. Water absorption is measured until saturation, and results show that the water diffusion coefficient of the hybrid nanocomposites is increased from 2.51 × 10−8 (m2 s−1) at 27 °C to 3.32 × 10−8 (m2 s−1) at 80 °C and it is higher than that of the base epoxy composites. Cole–Cole diagrams have revealed heterogeneity of the composites studied. Water diffusion results in the plasticization of the matrix, and it manifests in the broadening of the tanδ peak observed in water-aged epoxy composites. With the inclusion of hybrid MWCNT and GNP nanofillers.,the water diffusion coefficient is reduced to half, and saturation is increased by four times.