Water Aging Effects on Graphene Nanoplatelets and Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Epoxy Glass Fiber Nanocomposites

Nanocomposites reinforced with hybrid fillers of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were developed, aimed at improving electrical and morphological properties of the hybrid nanocomposites while reducing the cost of the final product. GNPs and MWCNTs nanofillers have shown improved electrical and morphological properties with most polymers. In this work, the effect of short-term water aging for 1440 h on MCWNTs and GNPs reinforced epoxy glass fiber nanocomposites was studied. Epoxy nanocomposites were prepared with varying combinations of MCWNTs and GNPs (2:1, 2:2, and 2:3wt. %) as conducting fillers and their electrical conductivity was evaluated after short-term water aging. It was shown that the addition of MCWNTs and GNPs enhanced the electrical conductivity of composites: A low percolation threshold was achieved with 2 wt. % MCWNTs and 3 wt. % GNPs. The addition of MCWNTs enhanced the electrical conductivity and dielectric constant, confirming the synergistic effect of CNTs as multifunctional filler. Microstructural investigations and morphology of nanocomposites were investigated using Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The novelty of this work arises from the combination of two conducting fillers with different geometry and aspect ratios as well as different dispersion characteristics. The results obtained from the electrical measurements after water aging on hybrid nanocomposites indicates slight increases in electrical conductivity.