An Improved Approach to Manufacture Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Magnesium AZ91 Composites with Increased Strength and Ductility

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are decorated with Pt nanoparticles by a “layer-by-layer” approach using poly (sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and poly (diallyl dimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis of the samples confirm Pt deposition on surfaces of CNTs. Dispersibility and dispersion stability of MWCNTs in the solvents are enhanced when MWCNTs are coated with Pt nanoparticles. Mg AZ91 composites reinforced with MWCNTs are then produced by a melt stirring process. Compression tests of the composites show that adding 0.05% wt Pt-coated MWCNTs in AZ91 improves the composite’s mechanical properties compared to the pure AZ91 and pristine MWCNT/AZ91. Fracture surface analysis of the composite using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows individual pulled out MWCNTs in the case of the Pt-coated MWCNT/AZ91 composites. This finding can be attributed to the uniform dispersion of Pt-coated MWCNTs in Mg due to the improved wettability of Pt-coated MWCNTs in Mg melts. The study of the pull-out behaviour of pristine and Pt-coated CNTs from an Mg matrix using molecular dynamics simulation supports this interpretation.