Enhanced interlaminar fracture toughness of unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy composites modified with sprayed multi-walled carbon nanotubes

A recently reported solvent spraying technique was used herein for incorporation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy prepregs. The role of the agglomerates reduction of oxidized MWCNTs on Mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness (GIC) of laminated composites was investigated using double cantilever beam tests. Multiscale laminate composites were fabricated using MWCNTs without and with an acid oxidation, agglomerates reduction (AR) and a sequential treatment based on oxidation and AR. For comparison, specimens without MWCNTs were also prepared and tested. Fourier transform infrared analysis shows evidence of an important amount of oxygenated functional groups on the surface of as-received and oxidized MWCNTs. The results also show Mode-I fracture toughness improvements for all the laminated composites compared to reference samples. A substantial 52% increase in the average GIC initiation was achieved for laminated composites reinforced with oxidized AR-MWCNTs prepared with only 0.05 wt.% MWCNTs.