Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Carbon Fiber−Epoxy Composites

Functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are explored as nanoreinforcement for carbon fiber/epoxy composites. SWNTs functionalized with carboxylic acid groups (SWNT−COOH) are dispersed in epoxy and are used for infiltration of carbon fabric (CF) by the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding technique to fabricate SWNT−COOH/epoxy/CF composites. Mechanical tests demonstrate that the incorporation of SWNT−COOH improves the mechanical performance of the composites and produces a 40% enhancement of the shear strength at a SWNT−COOH loading of 0.5 wt %.