Comparing Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Halloysite Nanotubes as Reinforcements in EVA Nanocomposites

TL;DR

This study compares the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and halloysite nanotubes as reinforcements in EVA nanocomposites, revealing their impact on physical, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties, including dispersion, strength, and conductivity.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of MWCNTs and HNTs in EVA nanocomposites, highlighting their individual and synergistic effects on various properties.

Findings

MWCNTs increase tensile strength and electrical conductivity.

HNTs significantly enhance strain at break.

Hybrid nanocomposites show synergistic strengthening effects.

Abstract

The influence of carbon multi-walled nanotubes (MWCNTs) and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) on the physical, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) copolymer was investigated. EVA-based nanocomposites containing MWCNTs or HNTs, as well as hybrid nanocomposites containing both nanofillers were prepared by melt blending. Scanning electron microcopy (SEM) images revealed the presence of good dispersion of both kinds of nanotubes throughout the EVA matrix. The incorporation of nanotubes into the EVA copolymer matrix did not significantly affect the crystallization behavior of the polymer. The tensile strength of EVA-based nanocomposites increased along with the increasing CNTs (carbon nanotubes) content (increased up to approximately 40% at the loading of 8 wt.%). In turn, HNTs increased to a great extent the strain at break. Mechanical cyclic tensile tests demonstrated that nanocomposites with hybrid reinforcement exhibit interesting strengthening behavior. The synergistic effect of hybrid nanofillers on the modulus at 100% and 200% elongation was visible. Moreover, along with the increase of MWCNTs content in EVA/CNTs nanocomposites, an enhancement in electrical conductivity was observed.