Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Epoxy/Graphene Nanocomposite Using Bath Sonication and Tip Sonication

There are different graphene loadings (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 vol%) were used in order to study the effect graphene loading using different type of ultrasonication. Two types of ultrasonication: bath and tip sonication were applied in the preparation of epoxy/graphene nanocomposites. Effect of different ultrasonication applied on the mechanical properties and morphology of nanocomposites were investigated. By using tip sonication, epoxy/graphene shown better improvement in the mechanical properties due to direct ultrasonication that generates higher sound pressures and intensity compared to bath sonication which is indirect ultrasonication. Besides, epoxy/graphene nanocomposites prepared using tip sonication exhibits greater fracture toughness where lower intensity and non-uniform sonication effect failed to achieve optimum dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets and also its distribution using bath sonication. Rougher surface with increased deflected crack lines was observed on the samples that prepared using tip sonication further proven that more fracture energy was dissipated which inhibits the propagation of cracks and hence delayed the failure of nanocomposites.

Isolation of inorganic molecular chains from rod-like bulk V2Se9 crystal by liquid exfoliation

We studied the optimum dispersion solvent for bulk V2Se9 material, which can be used as a new one-dimensional (1D) material, to separate into 1D chain units.

Optimum Dispersion Technique of Carbon Nanotubes in Epoxy Resin as a Function of the Desired Behaviour

The use of carbon nanostructures for epoxy matrices modification has been widely studied, nevertheless there are several alternative methods for manufacturing that try to avoid difficulties related to their tendency to keep entangled. The use of the calendering approach and high shear mixing alternatives is common for dispersing these nanoreinforcements. The present article compares these two methods as well as possible synergies from the use of the two alternatives together. It has been found that the dispersion technique used modifies the final dispersion level reached as well as on the final properties of the different nanocomposites. Nevertheless, this effect depends on the type of nanoreinforcement (structure and functionalization) and the property measured. Results suggest that each carbon nanostructure requires an individual design of the dispersion stage to get the optimum properties. Thus, the optimum technique may be different depending on the final desired properties, and the dispersion cycle should be designed carefully depending of the final material aim and the nanostructure used. Nevertheless, typical dispersion cycles are currently applied for different type of nanoreinforcements.