Comparative study of multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposites by Raman, SEM, and XPS measurement techniques

Substantial research efforts are under way to optimize the production of composites enhanced by incorporation nanomaterial fillers such as multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). It is therefore critical develop robust methods detect and characterize MWCNTs in nanocomposites measure product performance potential risks from release MWCNTs. In this study, effectiveness X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) assessed on a series MWCNT-epoxy samples. A general trend positive correlation between signal intensity MWCNT mass loading was observed both XPS. capable detecting at lowest nominal concentration tested (0.01%), while for XPS, were detected down threshold approximately 0.5%. Analysis same locations two nanocomposite samples with fractions 0.3% 1% using chemical imaging SEM revealed similar detectability clusters higher sample having greater number MWCNT-rich domains. Overall, these results show good comparability among different techniques provide comprehensive, nondestructive nanocomposites.