Guadagno L, Sorrentino A, Delprat P, Vertuccio L. Design of Multifunctional Composites: New Strategy to Save Energy and Improve Mechanical Performance.
NANOMATERIALS 2020;
10:nano10112285. [PMID:
33218131 PMCID:
PMC7698905 DOI:
10.3390/nano10112285]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, an alternative curing strategy, based on the application of an electric field, is proposed to harden nano-filled multifunctional resins. The resin is obtained through the dispersion of carbon nanotubes, which act as nanometric heater elements in the epoxy matrix. The electro-curing is activated by applying an external electric voltage, which allows tunable cross-linking within the epoxy matrix entrapped between the nanotubes. The electro-curing method allows reaching higher curing degrees with respect to the conventional ones and, consequently, higher glass transition temperatures. This is a direct consequence of the fact that the curing reactions start directly in the regions at the interphase between carbon nanotubes, acting as heater nano-filaments, and the polymeric matrix. The proposed method is able to give composites better properties, making the curing process fast and energy-saving.
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