Synergetic effects of carbon nanotube-graphene nanoplatelet hybrids in carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites

Hybrid filler systems of carbon-based nanoparticles with different geometry shapes, one-dimensional (1D-) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and two-dimensional (2D-) graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs), were dispersed into epoxy matrix, using an intensive mixer, to evaluate their promising synergistic effects. In this work, the influence of different CNT/GnP ratios on the dispersion level, electrical and mechanical performance of epoxy-based nanocomposites was investigated. It was found that the size and number of GnP agglomerates are significantly reduced with the incorporation of CNTs, due to the formation of a co-supporting three-dimensional (3D-) architecture that delays re-agglomeration of the nanoplatelets. The combination of CNTs and GnPs, at an overall concentration of 0.043 wt. %, synergistically increase the mechanical performance and reduce the electrical percolation threshold of nanocomposites comparatively to the single filled systems. The transversal tensile properties, including elastic modulus – E2 and failure strength – Yt, of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites were studied and synergetic effects were also found when combining CNTs with GnPs.