Prediction of elastic modulus of polymer/carbon nanotube nanocomposites by mean field method

Accurately predicting the elastic modulus of polymer/carbon nanotube nanocomposites is essential for effective composite design. Traditional numerical methods often require extensive and intricate calculations due to the detailed modeling involved. This study presents an analytical approach to determine the average elastic modulus of polymer/carbon nanotube composites. By modeling a carbon nanotube particle as a long cylinder and applying Maxwell's laws, we derived equations for a single particle. These equations were then extended to the entire composite system using the mean field method, resulting in the overall elastic modulus of the composite. We investigated key parameters, including the length, diameter, and elastic modulus of the filler, as well as the thickness and elastic modulus of the interphase region and the matrix. Our findings demonstrate that this analytical method effectively and efficiently assesses the influence of these fundamental parameters on the nanocomposite's properties. This approach not only simplifies the prediction process but also provides clear insights into the role of each parameter, facilitating more informed composite design decisions.

کلیدواژه ها:

Interphase region ، Elastic modulus ، Polymer/carbon nanotube nanocomposites ، Mean field theory