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Characterization at Atomic Resolution of Carbon Nanotube/Resin Interface in Nanocomposites by Mapping sp2-Bonding States Using Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 June 2016

Yi-Feng Su ,
Jin G. Park ,
Ana Koo ,
Sarah Trayner ,
Ayou Hao ,
Rebekah Downes  and
Richard Liang
Yi-Feng Su
Affiliation:
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
Jin G. Park
Affiliation:
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
Ana Koo
Affiliation:
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
Sarah Trayner
Affiliation:
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
Ayou Hao
Affiliation:
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
Rebekah Downes
Affiliation:
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
Richard Liang*
Affiliation:
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
*
*Corresponding author. zliang@fsu.edu
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Abstract

Functionalization is critical for improving mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/polymer nanocomposites. A fundamental understanding of the role of the CNT/polymer interface and bonding structure is key to improving functionalization procedures for higher mechanical performance. In this study, we investigated the effects of chemical functionalization on the nanocomposite interface at atomic resolution to provide direct and quantifiable information of the interactions and interface formation between CNT surfaces and adjacent resin molecules. We observed and compared electronic structures and their changes at the interfaces of nonfunctionalized and functionalized CNT/polymer nanocomposite samples via scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) spectrum imaging techniques. The results show that the state of sp2 bonding and its distribution at the CNT/resin interface can be clearly visualized through EELS mapping. We found that the functionalized CNT/polymer samples exhibited a lower fraction of sp2 bonding and a lower π*/σ* ratio compared with the nonfunctionalized cases. A good correlation between near-edge fine structures and low-loss plasmon energies was observed.

Keywords

carbon nanotubecomposite interfaceEELSTEM
Type
Materials Applications
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , June 2016 , pp. 666 - 672
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2016

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