Numerical-Analytical Model for Nanotube-Reinforced Nanocomposites

A novel numerical model able to predict the elastic properties of carbon nanotube/polymer composites containing a random distribution of CNTs has been developed. The new technique, which takes into account of the curvature that the nanotubes show when immersed in the polymer, is based on a numerical-analytical approach that has significant advances over micromechanical modeling and can be applied to several kinds of nanostructured composites. The nature of carbon nanotube/polymer bonding has arisen as key factor in the efficacy of the carbon nanotubes to actually provide any enhanced stiffness or strength to the composite. Here the effects of carbon nanotube interface interaction with the matrix on the composite stiffness is investigated.