Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were surface modified first with Fenton reagent and then with a glycidyl oxygen propyl silane coupling agent. Thus modified CNTs were introduced into epoxy resins (EP), and the properties of the composites were investigated. It showed that hydroxyl and epoxy groups were introduced onto the surface of CNTs by Fenton reagent treatment and KH560 modification, respectively. Moreover, the component of Fenton reagent could effectively control the quantities of hydroxyl groups, and further decide the number of epoxy functional groups. The Fenton reagent treatment improved the dispersion of CNTs in EP, the glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal stability of EP were increased. Such improvement was further enhanced by subsequent modification with coupling agent.

Key words: carbon nanotube, surface modification, epoxy resin, composite