Recent Advances in Characterization Techniques for the Interface in Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites

Figure 12

In situ transmission electron microscopy images of crack nucleation and propagation induced by thermal stresses in a polystyrene thin film reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes. (a) Such a crack propagates along relatively low density regions of carbon nanotubes or along weak interfaces. (b) The multiwalled carbon nanotubes tend to align and bridge the crack wake, and subsequently to break and/or pull out from the polymer matrix (adapted with permission from reference [212]; copyright 2000, American Institute of Physics).

(a)

(b)