Mechanical and thermal properties of carbon nanotube- and graphene-glass fiber fabric-reinforced epoxy composites: A comparative study

This study was focused on the comparative effect of tube- and sheet-like nanocarbons on the structure–property relationships of fiber-reinforced composites. Graphene nanosheets and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were dispersed into commercial glass fiber fabric (Gf) to obtain multiscale graphene-Gf- and MWCNT-Gf-reinforcing materials, respectively, followed by a vacuum-assisted resin infusion process. The influence of MWCNTs and graphene on the mechanical and thermal performance of multiscale composites were investigated. The experimental results indicated that oxidized MWCNTs or graphene could ensure excellent dispersibility on the fiber surface, and ultimately enhance the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the resultant composites. Graphene oxide (GO), with a wrinkled and roughened texture, was shown to be superior to MWCNTs in terms of toughening the fiber/matrix interface and delaying the deformation or failure of the epoxy matrix. Under the same dosage of nanocarbons, the interlaminar shear strength of GO-Gf-reinforced composites (GO-GfCs) was raised by approximately 12%, and the relevant onset thermal-decomposition temperature was increased by > 11℃, compared with carboxyl MWCNT-Gf-reinforced composites (Mc-GfCs). Meanwhile, the GO-GfCs exhibited superior static and dynamic mechanical properties compared to those of Mc-GfCs.