Study On Carbon Nanotubes/Polysulfone Nanofibers Toughening And Reinforcing Epoxy Resins

In view of the toughness effect of PSF, the reinforcement effect of CNTs and the compatibility of PSF nanofibers. In our study, electrospun CNTs/PSF nanofibers were prepared, the toughness and reinforcement were performed via solving the CNTs/PSF nanofibers and phase separation in the epoxy matrix.Under the optimal parameter, CNTs were oxidized by mix acid. CNTs/PSF nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning with CNTs/PSF solutions in mixtures of N,N'-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) and acetone. The curing processing was optimized and toughened and reinforced epoxy resin was prepared by inserting the CNTs/PSF nanofibers into epoxy resin under the optimal curing temperature.SEM and TEM were used for observing the diameters distribution of CNTs/PSF nanofibers; tensile and impact experiment were used for characterising the effect of toughness and reinforcement, DMTA was used for measuring the dynamic mechanic thermal properties, and SEM and TEM were used for observing the morphologies of fracture surface. Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) was used to analysing the element content. Compared to epoxy matrix, the tensile strength and modulus of CNTs/PSF nanofibers with 3w% CNTs toughened and reinforced epoxy were enhanced by 13.9% and 14.2% respectively and the impact strength increased 18.3%. Tg increased 5℃. The result of EDS indicated the CNTs/PSF nanofibers were dissolved in the epoxy resin material and separated successfully.