Carbon nanotube characteristics and enhancement effects on the mechanical features of polymer-based materials and structures – A review

Carbon Nano Tubes (CNTs) are cylindrical structured rolled up sheets of graphene. The use of CNTs is observed as increasing immensely nowadays due to its tremendous characteristical properties. The low thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), their high mechanical strength, high specific surface area (SSA), and high thermal conductivity strongly idealize them as a nanostructure for enhancing the physical properties of the fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials for advanced applications such as microelectronic, chemical sensors, electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI), microwave absorption, hydrogen storage and aerospace. This review is comprised of the recent advancement in the fabrication of FRP by incorporated CNTs. Moreover, different functionalization techniques are analyzed to ensure uniform dispersion of CNTs and various fabrication routes were opted to enhance the overall performance of the CNTs incorporated FRPs composites. Common characterization techniques such as scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and mechanical testing are discussed to study the influence of CNTs on physical and mechanical properties of CNTs incorporated FRP composite. Furthermore, comprehensive and descriptive overview of complex characterization techniques including Brillouin scattering, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), is also covered in the scope of this paper which are used for studying influence of CNTs on the properties of FRP composites. This review will facilitate upcoming researchers to choose the most appropriate functionalization method of CNTs, optimized fabrication route for composite synthesis, essential characterization techniques for evaluating the performance as per required applications.