Effects of Different Functionalization Schemes on the Interfacial Strength of Carbon Nanotube Polyethylene Composite

The mechanical performance of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced polymer composites is primarily controlled by the dispersive capacity and interfacial shear strength of CNTs in polymer matrices. CNT functionalizations will improve dispersion and strengthen interfacial bonding of CNTs in matrices. To understand the effects of different functionalization schemes on the interfacial strength of CNT-polymer composites, pullout of the covalent, noncovalent, and mixed functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) from polyethylene (PE) matrix was simulated by using molecular dynamics, respectively. The results show that the SWCNT-PE interfacial shear strength is significantly improved by SWCNT functionalizations, particularly by mixed functionalization.