Effect of Sonication Parameters on Mechanical Properties of In-situ Amine Functionalized Multiple Layer Graphene/Epoxy Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this investigation, combined effects of various sonication time and power on dispersion of 0.75 wt.% In-situ amine functionalized multi-layer Graphene (AF-MGL) in polymer matrix were studied. To ensure proper dispersion of AF-MGL in the epoxy matrix, sonication times of 10, 40, 70 min and powers of 20, 40, 60 W were used. The tensile test results indicate an initial increase in tensile modulus at smaller sonication time and then decrease for more sonication times. The highest tensile modulus and tensile strength were obtained at 40 W, 40 min and at 20 W, 40 min respectively. In order to classify the AF-MGL dispersion status, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used. With increased sonicity time and strength, dispersion has been noticed.