The effect of covalent functionalization of carbon nanotube reinforcements on the atomic-level mechanical properties of poly-vinyl-ester-epoxy

  • M. Grujicic
  • , Y. P. Sun
  • , K. L. Koudela

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    The effect of covalent functionalization of (5,5)/(10,10)/(15,15) three-wall carbon nanotubes (3WCNTs) on the atomic-level mechanical properties of 3WCNT-reinforced vinyl ester epoxy polymer has been studied using molecular mechanics calculations. Inter- and intra-molecular atomic interactions in the 3WCNT + vinyl ester epoxy polymer system are represented using condensed-phased optimized molecular potential for atomistic simulation studies (COMPASS), an ab initio forcefield that enables an accurate and simultaneous prediction of various gas-phase and condensed-phase properties of organic and inorganic materials. The computational crystal consisting of a periodic array of infinitely long 3WCNTs surrounded by amorphous poly-vinyl-ester-epoxy is constructed using an in-house developed computer program and the amorphous cell tools by Accelrys. All the computations are carried out using Discover, a molecular statics/dynamics program from Accelrys. The results obtained show that covalent functionalization has a profound effect of the matrix-to-nanotube load transfer especially when the loads are applied in a direction orthogonal to the nanotube axis.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)3009-3021
    Number of pages13
    JournalApplied Surface Science
    Volume253
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jan 15 2007

    All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

    • Condensed Matter Physics
    • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
    • Surfaces and Interfaces

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