The addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to a polymer matrix is a known method to enhance a polymer’s properties. However, CNTs aggregate due to weak interactions with the polymer, inhibiting potential enhancement. Literature has proposed that dispersion could be greatly improved through minimal functionalization of the CNT and the addition of oxidized graphene. This research aims to examine the extent CNT and graphene can be functionalized before a significant detriment to properties is observed. Further, we aim to calculate how the physical properties of nylon 6 are affected by the addition of functionalized CNT-graphene complexes. All calculations will be completed using LAMMPS with a class 2 force field. Initial results have shown that CNT-graphene interaction energy can be greatly increased through the addition of just 2-3 sets of functional groups. This has resulted in only an ~6% loss of Young’s modulus in the carbon nanostructures.

Effects of functionalized carbon nanostructures on material properties of nylon 6 and CNT dispersion

2019 Spring National Meeting

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