An analytical approach to determine coefficients of thermal expansion of CNT/polymer nanocomposites

In this study, thermo-mechanical properties of CNT/polymer nanocomposite were investigated. Semi-continuum analytical method was used to simulate thermal behavior of CNT-reinforced polymers. CNT was modeled in an atomistic scale, whereas polymer was modeled as a continuum. Interfacial effects or the Van Der Waals interactions between matrix and CNT were simulated employing cohesive strength. The results indicate that using the cohesive law for CNT/polymer interface could provide very close results to the available experimental data. Also, adding a small quantity of CNTs to polymer leads to a slight decrease in the radial and axial thermal expansion coefficients of polymer matrix depending on temperature, volume fraction, aspect ratio, and also diameter of CNTs.