  Nanocomposites reinforced with hybrid fillers of multi-walled carbon
nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were developed, aimed at
improving electrical and morphological properties of the hybrid nanocomposites
while reducing the cost of the final product. GNPs and MWCNTs nanofillers have
shown improved electrical and morphological properties with most polymers. In
this work, the effect of short-term water aging for 1440 h on MCWNTs and GNPs
reinforced epoxy glass fiber nanocomposites was studied. Epoxy nanocomposites
were prepared with varying combinations of MCWNTs and GNPs (2:1, 2:2, and
2:3wt. %) as conducting fillers and their electrical conductivity was evaluated
after short-term water aging. It was shown that the addition of MCWNTs and GNPs
enhanced the electrical conductivity of composites: A low percolation threshold
was achieved with 2 wt. % MCWNTs and 3 wt. % GNPs. The addition of MCWNTs
enhanced the electrical conductivity and dielectric constant, confirming the
synergistic effect of CNTs as multifunctional filler. Microstructural
investigations and morphology of nanocomposites were investigated using Fourier
transform-infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The novelty of this work
arises from the combination of two conducting fillers with different geometry
and aspect ratios as well as different dispersion characteristics. The results
obtained from the electrical measurements after water aging on hybrid
nanocomposites indicates slight increases in electrical conductivity.
