Comparison of properties of polymer composite materials reinforced with carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes because of their high mechanical, optical or electrical properties, have found use as semiconducting materials constituting the reinforcing phase in composite materials. The paper presents the results of the studies on the mechanical properties of polymer composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNT). Three-point bending tests were carried out on the composites. The density of each obtained composite was determined as well as the surface roughness and the resistivity at room temperature. Moreover the surface studies on an atomic forces microscope (AFM) and X-ray studies (phase composition analysis, crystallite sizes determination) were carried out on such composites. Measurements of the surface topography using the Tapping Mode method were performed, acquiring the data on the height and on the phase imaging. The change of intensity, of crystallite size and of half-value width of main reflections originating from carbon for composites have been determined using the X-ray analysis. Carbon nanotubes constituting the reinforcement for a polymer composite improve the mechanical properties and conductivity of the composite.