DEVELOPMENT OF EPOXY RESIN/GLASS FIBER STRUCTURAL COMPOSITES USING CARBON NANOTUBE AND GRAPHENE BUCKYPAPER AS RESISTIVE ELEMENT

• Grant number: 24/11035-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: January 15, 2025
• End date: January 14, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Edson Cocchieri Botelho
• Grantee: Thaís Ferreira da Silva
• Supervisor: Maria da Conceicao de Jesus Rego Paiva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEG). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Guaratinguetá. Guaratinguetá , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade do Minho (UMinho), Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/08407-4 - Development of structural composites of epoxy resin/fiberglass using graphene buckypaper as resistive element., BP.PD

Abstract

This project aims to develop and study structural composites of epoxy resin, fiberglass and hybrid buckypaper made of carbon nanotubes and graphene, using the buckpaper as a resistive element for curing the epoxy resin, aiming for applications in the aerospace and automobile areas. Epoxy resin composites reinforced with glass fiber fabrics are widely used due to their good mechanical properties associated with ease of forming and low cost compared to composites reinforced with carbon fibers. Buckypaper is a thin surface formed by carbon nanomaterials, generally carbon nanotubes, which are good heat conductors and can, in addition to providing mechanical reinforcement, act as a resistive element by applying an electrical voltage, which generates heat and contributes to the resin curing. In this study, hybrid buckypapers will be produced with different concentrations of carbon nanotubes and graphene, and two different types of graphene. Buckypapers will be characterized by several techniques. To complement the characterization, Raman spectroscopy, electrical resistivity and thermoelectric conductivity tests will be carried out at the University of Minho (Portugal). In addition, three types of laminates will be prepared with prepregs (pre-impregnated) of fiberglass fabrics and epoxy resin: a reference laminate, a laminate with buckypaper films and a cured laminate with buckypaper as a resistive element. The laminates will be characterized by thermal analysis, electrical resistivity, and thermoelectric conductivity, in addition to Raman spectroscopy measurements. These analyzes will also be carried out at BEPE at the University of Minho under the supervision of Profa. Dr. Maria da Conceição de Jesus Rêgo Paiva.