ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2011 Feb;3(2):129-34. doi: 10.1021/am1011047. Epub 2011 Jan 07.

Interface toughness of carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy composites.

ACS applied materials & interfaces

Yogeeswaran Ganesan, Cheng Peng, Yang Lu, Phillip E Loya, Padraig Moloney, Enrique Barrera, Boris I Yakobson, James M Tour, Roberto Ballarini, Jun Lou

PMID: 21214196 DOI: 10.1021/am1011047

Abstract

Traditional single-fiber pull-out type experiments were conducted on individual multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) embedded in an epoxy matrix using a novel technique. Remarkably, the results are qualitatively consistent with the predictions of continuum fracture mechanics models. Unstable interface crack propagation occurred at short MWNT embedments, which essentially exhibited a linear load-displacement response prior to peak load. Deep embedments, however, enabled stable crack extension and produced a nonlinear load-displacement response prior to peak load. The maximum pull-out forces corresponding to a wide range of embedments were used to compute the nominal interfacial shear strength and the interfacial fracture energy of the pristine MWNT-epoxy interface.

Publication Types

• Letter
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.