The use of nanoparticles in composites

As with the advanced polymer composite, a nanocomposite is formed from a combination of two or more materials however, one of the materials has dimensions in the nanoscale ( 100 nm). Nanoparticles can be classified into three categories depending on their number of nanoscale dimensions (a) nano-spheres, (b) nano-fibres and (c) nano-plates, having three, two and one nanoscale dimension respectively (Thostenson et al., 2005). Paul and Robeson (2008) have given a comprehensive review of nanoparticles. Only nano-fibres and nano-plates will be mentioned in this chapter as these are relevant to possible structures concerned with sustainability energy. 

The paper of lijima (1991) has generated unprecedented interest in carbon nanostructures and has fuelled intense research in the area of 

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) consist of molecular cylinders of pure, hexagonally arranged carbon atoms with a diameter of a few nanometres and a length of many microns. They occur in two main types, the single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) composed of a single lattice cylinder of carbon, and the multi-wall version (MWNT) consisting of concentric lattice cylinders of carbon they resemble one cylinder within the other. The ends of the tubes are usually closed off by a carbon end-cap, also in lattice form. 

The strength of the sp carbon-carbon bonds provides carbon nanotubes with extraordinary mechanical properties. The nature of the bonding of a nanotube is described by applied quantum chemistry, specifically by orbital 

Loos (2011) reported that investigators from Bayer Material Science LLC, USA and Moulded Fibre Glass, Cleveland, USA have developed a prototype wind turbine blade 0.74 metre long manufactured from polyurethane reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNT PU). The researchers claim that the advanced material has a specific tensile strength of five times and 60 times that of carbon fibre composite and aluminium respectively and is tougher than CFRP furthermore, the stiffer but thinner blades enable maximum energy to be produced. 

3 Advantages of incorporating nano-plates into FRP composites 

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