The current study explores the potential of N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (AEAPTS) functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes (f-SWCNTs) as interface modifier to enhance thermomechanical characteristics of glass fiber/epoxy (GF/epoxy) composites. GF/epoxy laminates each embedded with 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 wt% of pristine SWCNTs (p-SWCNTs) and f-SWCNTs, respectively, were fabricated using hot press technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated successful attachment of AEAPTS on SWCNTs while thermogravimetric analysis assessed the grafting density of AEAPTS. Tensile strength, modulus and interlaminar shear strength increased by ~ 27, ~ 14 and ~ 43%, respectively, at 0.5 wt% f-SWCNTs loading. However, no marked improvements were observed in mechanical properties with p-SWCNTs addition. Scanning electron microscopy revealed excellent dispersibility of f-SWCNTs in an epoxy matrix. Moreover, fractographic analysis revealed excellent compatibility of GF and epoxy resin in the presence of f-SWCNTs which accounts for improved interfacial adhesion. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis showed ~ 40% increment in storage modulus at 25 °C with 0.5 wt% f-SWCNTs content whereas the glass transition temperature remarkably improved by ~ 13 °C as compared to the neat composite (~ 136 °C). The cross-link density increased up to ~ 51% with f-SWCNTs addition implying that grafted AEAPTS moieties undergo a three-way cross-link reaction with epoxide groups of epoxy and silanes of glass fibers. Such multi-scale composites with enhanced strength and thermomechanical stability can replace metallic components in various engineering applications.

中文翻译：

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通过掺入N-（2-氨基乙基）-3-氨基丙基三甲氧基硅烷官能化的碳纳米管，对玻璃纤维/环氧多尺度复合材料的机械和热机械性能进行战术调整

当前的研究探索了氮的潜力-（2-氨基乙基）-3-氨基丙基三甲氧基硅烷（AEAPTS）功能化的单壁碳纳米管（f-SWCNT）作为界面改性剂，可增强玻璃纤维/环氧树脂（GF /环氧树脂）复合材料的热机械特性。使用热压技术制造分别埋有0.1、0.3和0.5重量％的原始SWCNT（p-SWCNT）和f-SWCNT的GF /环氧层压板。傅里叶变换红外光谱表明，AEAPTS成功附着在SWCNT上，而热重分析评估了AEAPTS的接枝密度。在f-SWCNTs负载量为0.5 wt％时，拉伸强度，模量和层间剪切强度分别增加了约27％，约14％和约43％。但是，添加p-SWCNTs的机械性能未见明显改善。扫描电子显微镜显示f-SWCNT在环氧基质中具有极好的分散性。此外，分形分析显示在存在f-SWCNT的情况下GF和环氧树脂具有优异的相容性，这说明界面粘合性得到了改善。动态机械热分析表明，在25°C下，具有0.5 wt％的f-SWCNTs时，储能模量增加了约40％，而与纯复合材料（约136°C）相比，玻璃化转变温度显着提高了约13°C。添加f-SWCNTs后，交联密度增加至约51％，这意味着接枝的AEAPTS部分与环氧纤维的环氧基和玻璃纤维的硅烷进行了三元交联反应。这种具有增强的强度和热机械稳定性的多尺度复合材料可以在各种工程应用中替代金属部件。