Irum Rafique

Review of Applications of Polymer/Carbon Nanotubes and Epoxy/CNT Composites

ABSTRACT In this review, an overview of polymer and carbon nanotube composite is presented with special emphasis on their applications in technical fields. The general applications of polymer/carbon nanotube nanocomposite in actuators, sensors, sporting goods, and so on have been discussed. In addition, special features of epoxy and epoxy/carbon nanotube composites were discussed in detail. Enhancement in the characteristic features of epoxy matrix with the incorporation of carbon nanotube has been observed. Consequently, the main focus of the review is on applications of epoxy/carbon nanotube composites in different fields such as aerospace, automobiles, fuel cells, radar-absorbing material, wind turbine blades, and electromagnetic interface shielding. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Exploration of Epoxy Resins, Hardening Systems, and Epoxy/Carbon Nanotube Composite Designed for High Performance Materials: A Review

ABSTRACT Epoxy resins, is an important class of reactive polymers, have been reported to be toughened by nanoparticles. Carbon nanotube is a tubular cylinder ofcarbonatoms having extraordinary mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. In this article, present state of epoxy/carbon nanotube composite is given. Types of epoxy and hardening agents commonly used in composite processing have been thrashed out. Frequently used fabrication techniques are discussed with particular emphasis on evaluating dispersion state of nanotube. Epoxy/carbon nanotube composites offer substantially improved properties compared to traditional fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. Finally, potential relevance for efficiently transforming filler properties to matrix facilitating aerospace relevance is conversed. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Advances in Epoxy/Graphene Nanoplatelet Composite with Enhanced Physical Properties: A Review

ABSTRACT In this review, development from graphene nanoplatelet, that is, comprised of short bulk of single layer graphene, into modified-polymer/graphene nanoplatelet composite is presented. Preparation methods of graphite, graphene, and graphene nanoplatelets have also been discussed. Graphene nanoplatelet and modified graphene nanoplatelet commend unique properties to composites such as excellent thermal and electrical conductivity as well as mechanical and barrier properties. Graphene nanoplatelet fabrication techniques by solution mixing, melt blending, and in situ polymerization are also discussed. Excellent dispersion of nanoplatelets in polymer/graphene nanoplatelet depends upon the selection of suitable fabrication technique. Moreover, the corresponding significance, exploitation, challenges, and future aspect of polymer/graphene nanoplatelet-based material is overviewed. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Epoxy Resin Composite Reinforced with Carbon Fiber and Inorganic Filler: Overview on Preparation and Properties

ABSTRACT Among carbon fillers, carbon fiber is considered to be an ideal reinforcement for epoxy because of its outstanding electrical, mechanical, and thermal features. Several inorganic fillers such as zinc oxide, titania, and silica are also used in epoxy matrix for property enhancement. The review initially focuses the preparation methods and physical characteristics of epoxy/carbon fiber composite. Afterward, fabrication and properties of epoxy/zinc oxide/titania/silica composites are also conversed. Moreover, the effect of filler dispersion on polymer properties’ improvement is also highlighted. Epoxy/carbon fiber composites are employed more frequently and effectively in defense-related applications compared with epoxy/inorganic nanofiller composite. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Perspectives of Epoxy/Graphene Oxide Composite: Significant Features and Technical Applications

ABSTRACT In this article, advancement in epoxy/graphene oxide composites is presented. These materials are comprised of graphene oxide (GO) as filler (carbon-based material, thermodynamically stable, two-dimensional, planar and layered structure). Due to improved properties (mechanical response, low density, electrical resistance, and thermal stability), epoxy resins are used in several applications. Graphene oxide proposes unique properties to epoxy composites as high surface area, thermal and electrical conductivity as well as mechanical and barrier properties, relative to neat matrix. The corresponding significance of epoxy/GO-based materials, related challenges, and potential exploitation regarding technical applications (aerospace, gas sensor, electronic devices, etc.) have been overviewed. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Recent Developments in Different Types of Flame Retardants and Effect on Fire Retardancy of Epoxy Composite

ABSTRACT In this review, main focus is on the different types of fire retardants, their properties, and pertinent potential. Both inorganic (titania, silica, and zinc oxide) and organic (graphite, graphene, and graphene nanoplatelet) compounds have been discussed as flame inhibitors. Among various sorts of fire retardants, halogen-based flame inhibitors possess outstanding features. Consequently influence of fire retardant on the performance of epoxy composite has been discussed. It was noted that significant enhancement occurs by addition of organic and inorganic fillers in epoxy matrix. However, halogen additives impart better flame resistance to epoxy composite. Toward the end of this review, potential of halogen-containing fire retardant is discussed. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Significance of Carbon Nanotube in Flame-Retardant Polymer/CNT Composite: A Review

ABSTRACT In this review, flame-retardant characteristics of polymer/carbon nanotube composite have been focused. Nonflammability behavior of carbon nanotube filler with different types of polymer matrices has been discussed. In addition, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of these materials have also been argued. Main types of polymers considered are epoxy, polystyrene, polyaniline, polypropylene, and polyurethane. Considerable enhancement in nonflammability properties of polymers with carbon nanotube was studied using limiting oxygen index measurement, UL 94 tests, and cone calorimetry. Toward the end, significance of flame-retardant composites in aerospace, electronics, radar absorbing materials, electromagnetic shielding, and wind turbine blades has been conversed. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Aerospace Application of Polymer Nanocomposite with Carbon Nanotube, Graphite, Graphene Oxide, and Nanoclay

ABSTRACT In this review, potential and properties of carbon nanotube, graphite, graphene oxide, and clay nanofiller have been deliberated with reference to aerospace application. The polymers discussed as matrices are polypropylene, polyaniline, polyurethane, polystyrene, and polyamide. Main focus of the review is to converse space competency of polymer/carbon nanotube, polymer/graphite, polymer/graphene oxide, and polymer/clay nanocomposite. The effect of nanofiller addition on the desired aerospace properties of polymeric nanocomposite has been conversed. Attractive features are high glass transition temperature, thermal stability, high modulus, chemical resistance, and nonflammability. Toward the end, challenges in the enhancement of materials’ properties for aerospace relevance have been considered. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Electromagnetic Interference Shielding of Polymer/Nanodiamond, Polymer/Carbon Nanotube, and Polymer/Nanodiamond–Carbon Nanotube Nanobifiller Composite: A Review

ABSTRACT In this review, properties and potential of carbon nanotube, nanodiamond, and nanodiamond–carbon nanotube hybrid nanobifiller have been discussed with reference to electromagnetic interference shielding materials. The nanodiamond and carbon nanotube nanofiller and nanodiamond–carbon nanotube nanobifiller have outstanding electrical, thermal, and mechanical features. Main focus of review was electromagnetic interference shielding phenomenon and its implication in polymer/nanodiamond, polymer/carbon nanotube, and polymer/nanodiamond–carbon nanotube nanobifiller composite. The epoxy/nanodiamond, epoxy/carbon nanotube, and epoxy/nanodiamond–carbon nanotube composites have been discussed with electromagnetic interference shielding shielding features. Thus, considerable enhancement in electromagnetic interference shielding shielding features was observed using higher nanodiamond, carbon nanotube, and nanodiamond–carbon nanotube loadings. Significance and future potential of these polymeric composite are specified. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Fabrication and Characterization of High-Performance Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol-A/Tetrabromobisphenol-A Blend Reinforced with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Composite

ABSTRACT The nanocomposite of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A/tetrabromobisphenol-A blend with purified multiwalled carbon nanotube and acid-functional multiwalled carbon nanotube were processed by solution route. According to field emission scanning electron microscope, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A/purified multiwalled carbon nanotube depicted poor dispersion and aggregated morphology, however, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A/acid-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube revealed better dispersion in matrix. The diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A/tetrabromobisphenol-A/purified multiwalled carbon nanotube had higher thermal stability as T0 of 369°C and Tmax of 569°C were observed. Nonflammability of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A/tetrabromobisphenol-A blend-based material was 44%, i.e., higher than diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A/purified multiwalled carbon nanotube series. Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A/tetrabromobisphenol-A/purified multiwalled carbon nanotube 0.1 had crystalline morphology with diffractions at 12.77° and 26.8°. The diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A/tetrabromobisphenol-A/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposite revealed electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of ∼12.1 dB, i.e., desired for aerospace applications. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT