Preparation And Properties Of Carbon Nanotube Composite And Nanodiamond Composite

Carbon nanotubes(CNTs) and nanodiamond powder (NDP), the most representative nanomaterials, are the ideal reinforcement additives for nanocomposites owing to their nanometer scale, unique and perfect microstructure, large surface area and super high mechanical strength. CNTs and NDP become the limited types of preparation of advanced nanocomposites. Therefore the investigations on the synthesis and properties of carbon nanotube composite and nanodiamond composite are one of the research hotspots in the research area.In this paper, we reviewed the latest development in the research of carbon nanotube composite and nanodiamond composite. To focus on the carbon nanotube composite and nanodiamond composite, we have investigated the epoxy/CNT nanocomposites, epoxy/NDP nanocomposites and metal/CNT nanocomposites. The preparation methods, microstructures, properties and mechanisms of carbon nanotube composite and nanodiamond composite have been studied. The main content is the following:1. We have used an effective strategy to modify the clay with CNTs as the intercalating agent. XRD and TEM results showed that the exfoliation structure of clay (denoted E-MMT) was obtained. The prepared E-MMT was directly used as a filler and the E-MMT/EP composites was prepared. The results of mechanical properties tests showed that E-MMT can obviously improve the strength of the epoxy. The considerable improvement is attributed to the in situ growth of CNTs on clay layers, which allows the exfoliation of the clay in the epoxy matrix, as well as the possibility of mechanical interlocking occurring within the matrix.2. NDP was dispersed in epoxy at low content through a high powerful ultrasonic liquid processor and then mixed with curing agent using a high-speed mechanical agitator. A good dispersion of NDP in an epoxy resin could be observed. The mechanical properties of the EP/NDP composites were tested. It was found that at a NDP content of only 0.1 wt%, the Vicker's Hardness increases up to 39.5%, tensile strength improves up to 52.7% and tensile modulus increases up to 54.2%. 3. Highly dispersed PtRu nanoparticles on the ultrasonically treated MWCNTs were successfully synthesized via HCHO reduction induced ultrasound technique. The results showed that the PtRu nanoparticles with a high degree of alloying could be deposited on the MWCNTs in a highly dispersed state within 5 min at ambient temperature. The electrocatalytic properties of the PtRu/MWCNT electrode for oxidation of methanol were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and excellent electrocatalytic activity could be observed. The method is simple, time-saving and environmentally benign. Therefore, it is expected to have potential for the preparation of commercial catalysts.