Track: Product Development

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are promising materials due to their outstanding mechanical and electrical properties. However, the electrical percolation threshold obtained in epoxy/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites is one of the lowest among conductive nanocomposites. There exist research efforts to improve the electrical percolation threshold of epoxy/CNT with the addition of silver nanoparticles. The aim of this novel work is to use biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (GAg.NPs) as a replacement for high-cost Ag.NPs for the enhancement of the electrical properties of epoxy/CNT. The nanocomposites were produced by using 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5% CNTs and 0.5% GAg.NPs in the epoxy matrix.  The morphology, electrical conductivity and thermomechanical properties of the developed composites were determined.  The results show an increment in the electrical conductivity and storage modulus of the epoxy/CNT with the addition of GAg.NPs. The work established that the addition of GAg.NPs to epoxy-CNT can be used to improve electrical conductivity and storage modulus of epoxy-CNT composites for electronic applications.