Reinforcing porous silica with carbon nanotubes to enhance mechanical performance

Abstract

In this study, porous silica NOD film is reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which gets homogeneously dispersed in porous SiO2 gel by ultrasonic stirring. The SiZC of SiO2 molecules is the same as that of nanotubes, so a fine CNTs/SiO2 network is formed. Nanoindenters used to test the mechanical properties of the resulting specimens show a marked enhancement in the properties as a function of filler content. Interfacial bonding and the distribution of CNTs also strongly affected the mechanical performance. Although a high concentration of CNTs improves the mechanical characteristics of the matrix, it also causes agglomeration such that the mechanical performance at the surface was disproportionate. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicates that there is little chemical reaction occurring between CNTs and SiO2. The results suggest that CNTs are ineffective reinforcements.