• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.371-378
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• 2018

In this study, the thermoelastic properties of poly lactic acid (PLA) based nanocomposites are predicted by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and a micromechanics model. The stereocomplex mixed with L-lactic acid (PLLA) and D-lactic acid (PDLA) is modeled as matrix phase and a single walled carbon nanotube is embedded as reinforcement. The glass transition temperature, elastic moduli and thermal expansion coefficients of pure matrix and nanocomposites unit cells are predicted though ensemble simulations according to the hydrolysis. In micromechanics model, the double inclusion (D-I) model with a perfect interface condition is adopted to predict the properties of nanocomposites at the same composition. It is found that the stereocomplex nanocomposites show prominent improvement in thermal stability and interfacial adsorption regardless of the hydrolysis. Moreover, it is confirmed from the comparison of MD simulation results with those from the D-I model that the interface between CNT and the stereocomplex matrix is slightly weak in nature.

• Composites Research
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.8-14
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• 2009

Interfacial evaluation of glass fiber reinforced carbon nanotube (CNT)-epoxy nanocomposite was investigated by micromechanical technique in combination with wettability test. The contact resistance of the CNT-epoxy nanocomposite was measured using a gradient specimen, containing electrical contacts with gradually-increasing spacing. The contact resistance of CNT-epoxy nanocomposites was evaluated by using the two-point method rather than the four-point method. Due to the presence of hydrophobic domains on the heterogeneous surface, the static contact angle of CNT-epoxy nanocomposite was about $120^{\circ}$, which was rather lower than that for super-hydrophobicity. For surface treated-glass fibers, the tensile strength decreased dramatically, whereas the tensile modulus exhibited little change despite the presence of flaws on the etched fiber surface. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between the etched glass fiber and the CNT-epoxy nanocomposites increased due to the enhanced surface energy and roughness. As the thermodynamic work of adhesion, $W_a$ increased, both the mechanical IFSS and the apparent modulus increased, which indicated the consistency with each other.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2019

Single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) has been used as a material for reinforcing various advanced materials because it has superior mechanical properties. However, pure SWCNT that does not have any functional group has a hydrophobic character, and exists as bundles due to the strong Van der Waals attraction between each SWCNT. Due to these reasons, it is very difficult to disperse SWCNTs in the water. In this work, in order to use SWCNT for production of cementitious composites, SWCNT was first dispersed in water to make an aqueous solution. Sodium deoxycholate (DOC) and Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were chosen as surfactants, and the dosage of DOC and SDS were 2wt% and 1wt%, respectively. Sonication and ultracentrifugation were applied to separate each SWCNT and impurities. Using such processed SWCNT solutions, cement paste was prepared and its shear stress vs. strain rate relationship was studied. The yield stress and plastic viscosity of cement paste were obtained using Bingham model. According to the results in this work, cement pastes made with DOC and SDS showed similar rheological behavior to that of air entrained cement paste. While cement paste made with DOC 2 wt.% SWCNT solution showed similar rheological behavior to that of plain cement paste, cement paste made with SDS 1 wt.% SWCNT solution showed different rheological behavior showing much less yield stress than plain cement paste.

• Composites Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.125-131
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• 2016

In case of CNT mixing with epoxy, epoxy matrix needs to be diluted. This work studied the effect of the dilution condition of epoxy on CNT dispersion. The optimum solvent condition using acetone and DMF was found via mechanical and solubility methods which affects, the epoxy performance. The dispersion using acetone was better than the DMF and thus higher mechanical properties. Four mixing types of CNT particle were performed. To verify the effects of each step between dilution and dispersion, the dispersion between epoxy and CNT was evaluated via the electrical resistance and optical methods. The optimum dispersion was obtained via mechanical test and thermal analysis by DSC. Among four types, the best was to disperse CNT after epoxy and hardeners were diluted respectively.

• Composites Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.190-195
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• 2014

This paper predicts the complex permittivity of MWNT added epoxy depending on agglomeration by numerical analysis. 1wt% MWNT added epoxy specimen is prepared using 3-roll-mill method and its complex permittivity is measured in X-band (8.2~12.4 GHz) using freespace measurement system. The analytic model is comprised of cube epoxy and perfect sphere agglomeration. The complex permittivity of the agglomeration model is predicted by complex permittivity mixing rule using the measured complex permittivity of epoxy and 1 wt% MWNT added epoxy. Commercial electromagnetic analysis software, CST, is used to obtain S-parameter of the analytic model and MATLAB code is used to calculate complex permittivity from the S-parameter. It is confirmed that the complex permittivity increases when the agglomeration size decreases.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.270-274
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• 2023

The stacking configuration of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, achieved via the filament winding process, exhibits distinct variations compared to conventional FRP composite stacking arrangements. Consequently, it becomes challenging to ascertain the influence of mechanical properties based on the typical stacking structures. Thus, it becomes imperative to enhance the mechanical behavior and optimize the interleaved structures to improve overall performance. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of incorporating amorphous halloysite nanotubes (A-HNTs) within different layers of five unique layer arrangements on the low-velocity impact properties of interleaved carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) structures. The low-velocity impact characteristics of the laminate were validated using a drop weight impact test, wherein the resulting impact damage modes and extent of damage were compared and evaluated under microscopic analysis. Each interleaved structure laminate according to whether nanoparticles are added was compared at impact energies of 10 J and 15 J. In the case of 10 J, the absorption energy showed a similar tendency in each structure. However, at 15 J, the absorption energy varies from structure to structure. Among them, a structure in which nanoparticles are not added exhibits the highest absorption energy. Additionally, various impact fracture modes were observed in each structure through optical microscopy.

• Composites Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2017

Damage sensing of polymer composite films consisting of poly(dicyclopentadiene) p-DCPD and carbon nanotube (CNT) was studied experimentally. Only up to 1st ring-opening polymerization occurred with the addition of CNT, which made the modified film electrically conductive, while interfering with polymerization. The interfacial adhesion of composite films with varying CNT concentration was evaluated by measuring the wettability using the static contact angle method. 0.5 wt% CNT/p-DCPD was determined to be the optimal condition via electrical dispersion method and tensile test. Dynamic fatigue test was conducted to evaluate the durability of the films by measuring the change in electrical resistance. For the initial three cycles, the change in electrical resistance pattern was similar to the tensile stress-strain curve. The CNT/p-DCPD film was attached to an epoxy matrix to demonstrate its utilization as a sensor for fracture behavior. At the onset of epoxy fracture, electrical resistance showed a drastic increase, which indicated adhesive fracture between sensor and matrix. It leads to prediction of crack and fracture of matrix.

• Composites Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2011

Transparent and conductive carbon nanotube on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were prepared by dip-coating method for self-sensing multi-functional nanocomposites. The changes in the electrical and optical properties of CNT coating mainly depended on the number of dip-coating, concentration of CNT solution. Consequently, the surface resistance and transmittance of CNT coating were sensitively controlled by the processing parameters. Surface resistance of CNT coating was measured using four-point method, and surface resistance of coated CNT could be better calculated by using the dual configuration method. Optical transmittance of PET film with CNT coating was evaluated using UV spectrum. Surface properties of coated CNT investigated by wettability test via static and dynamic contact angle measurement were consistent with each other. As dip-coating number increased, surface resistance of coated CNT decreased seriously, whereas the transmittance exhibited little lower due to the thicker CNT networks layer. Interfacial microfailure properties were investigated for CNT and indium tin oxide (ITO) coatings on PET substrates by electrical resistance measurement under cyclic loading fatigue test. CNT with high aspect ratio exhibited no change in surface resistance up to 2000 cyclic loading, whereas ITO with brittle nature showed a linear increase of surface resistance up to 1000 cyclic loading and then exhibited the level-off due to reduced electrical contact points based on occurrence of many micro-cracks.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.291-297
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• 2007

The field emission properties of CNT-emitters coated with Ag-Cu alloy have been investigated. The vertical aligned multi-walled CNTs were synthesized by dc-plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (dc-PECVD) and the Ag-Cu alloy was coated by using dc-magnetron sputter. The morphology of alloy-coated and un-coated CNT-emitters was observed by using SEM and their field emission properties were also measured. Annealing the AgCu-coated CNTs at temperature more than ${\sim}700^{\circ}C$, the Ag-Cu alloy was diffused to and aggregated on the top of the CNT as a Q-tip. A significant progress on the field emission was not observed with coating Ag-Cu alloy on the CNTs, but a certain improvement in a resistance against oxygen gas was made confirmation. It seems to be due to inertness of Ag-Cu alloy on the CNTs.