Tensile modulus of polymer/CNT nanocomposites containing networked and dispersed nanoparticles

The properties of three-dimensional networks of nanoparticles in polymer/carbon nanotubes (CNT) nanocomposites (PCNT) are particularly interesting from fundamental and application views. In this article, a new model is suggested for predicting the tensile modulus of PCNT using the Ouali and Paul models. The Ouali model considers the network of CNT in a polymer matrix, while the Paul model predicts the tensile modulus of samples containing dispersed nanoparticles. The predictions of the suggested approach are compared with experimental data from several samples. Also, the roles of the main parameters in the tensile modulus of PCNT are evaluated. The predictions agree with the experimental results at different filler concentrations. The roles of these parameters on the tensile modulus of PCNT are discussed based on the properties of CNT networks. (c) 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 220-225, 2018