Functionalized Nanoscale Fibers and Composite Materials

Abstract

A method is provided for functionalizing nanoscale fibers including reacting a plurality of nanoscale fibers with at least one epoxide monomer to chemically bond the at least one epoxide monomer to surfaces of the nanoscale fibers to form functionalized nanoscale fibers. Functionalized nanoscale fibers, nanoscale fiber films, and composite materials are also provided.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A composite material comprising:
 a resin; and   a plurality of nanoscale fibers comprising single-walled carbon nanotubes, multiple-walled carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or a combination thereof, wherein at least one monomer comprising an epoxide functional group is chemically bonded to an unmodified surface of the nanoscale fibers.   
     
     
         2 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the resin is an epoxy resin. 
     
     
         3 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoscale fibers are present in the composite material at a weight percent of from about 0.5 to about 1%. 
     
     
         4 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the average tensile strength of the composite material ranges from about 92.3 MPa to about 101.9 MPa. 
     
     
         5 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the Young's modulus of the composite material ranges from about 2.6 GPa to about 3.2 GPa. 
     
     
         6 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanoscale fibers is evenly dispersed in the resin. 
     
     
         7 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one monomer comprises glycidyl methacrylate, (7-octenyl)oxirane, 1,2-epoxy-5-hexene, 3,4-epoxy-1-butene, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one monomer comprises a polymerized monomer.