Graphene Oxide–Carbon Nanotubes Hybrids: Preparation, Characterization, and Application in Phenol Formaldehyde Resin

Abstract

Graphene oxide–carbon nanotubes hybrids were prepared by using methylene diphenyl diisocyanate as a bridging agent. The as-prepared hybrids were introduced in phenol formaldehyde resin to fabricate polymer-based composites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electrical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction were performed to characterize the functional groups, morphologies, and crystal structure of the as-prepared hybrids, respectively. The experimental results showed that the carbon nanotubes were loaded on the surfaces of the graphene oxide and they were held together through chemical bonds. Moreover, the as-prepared hybrids could improve the mechanical properties of the matrix. When the as-prepared hybrids loading was 0.6 wt%, the tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break of the composites were 31.3%, 97.0%, and 75.0% more than the pure sample; in addition, the compression strength and modulus of the composites were 19.7% and 21.3% more than the pure sample, respectively.

Keywords:

• carbon nanotubes
• graphene oxide
• hybrids
• phenol formaldehyde resin

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from Youth Science and Technology Foundation of Higher Education Institutions of Hebei Province, China (Grant No: Q2012111), Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province, China (Grant No: E2013210011), and Hebei Key Discipline Construction Project.