Effects of nano reinforcing/matrix interaction on chemical, thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract

This article investigates the impact of addition various types of nanoparticles with different structural, dimensional, and morphological properties on the interphase region formed between the particle/matrix and the curing behavior of the epoxy affect the nanocomposite material properties. For this purpose, epoxy nanocomposites (NCs) were produced by adding multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) into the epoxy matrix at different rates (0.5–2.0 wt.%). The effects of the particle/matrix interaction on the properties of the composite have been revealed by chemical, thermal, mechanical analyzes and microstructure investigations. An increase in the absorption density, which reveals the physical interaction of nanoparticles with the epoxy matrix, was observed in Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Absorption vibration peak intensities in nanocomposite samples were at most 1.0 wt.% Al2O3 and 1.25 wt.% CNT added nanocomposites. It was observed that the Tg value increased depending on the number of nanoparticles. The addition of Al2O3 increased Tg values more than CNT. Besides, the mechanical properties of NCs were determined by tensile tests. The highest increase in mechanical properties was achieved by adding 1.25 wt.% CNT and 1.0 wt.% Al2O3, respectively. Mechanical properties tended to decrease at higher addition rates. The shape, size, amount, and distribution of nanoparticles added into the epoxy matrix directly affected the NCs' properties. It has been determined that homogeneously dispersed spherical Al2O3 nanoparticles are more effective than fiber-shaped CNTs in the properties of NCs.

Microstructural design and mechanical performance of epoxy/carbon nanotube fiber composite

“…The Van der Waals forces are significantly dominated by the contact areas between the adjacent CNTs, thus the pore existence between the CNT bundles hinders the strong inter-bundle junctions and entanglements. 29,30…”

“…The Van der Waals forces are significantly dominated by the contact areas between the adjacent CNTs, thus the pore existence between the CNT bundles hinders the strong inter-bundle junctions and entanglements. 29,30 Recently, wide varieties of post-spinning processes on the as-spun CNT fibers have been conducted to enhance the interactions between CNTs, and improve their structure and performance. 31 Post-treatments could be classified into two categories: (I) physical treatments through the densification process including twisting, stretching, pressing, and rolling, 32,33 and (II) chemical treatments via surface modification and liquid infiltration including solvent or polymers.…”

Probing mechanical properties of graphene oxide/epoxy composites based on nano indentation technique

“…[7][8][9][10] With regard to the drawbacks such as high crosslinking density, high residual stress, pronounced brittleness, and poor fatigue resistance, 11 epoxy composites developed in last 2 decades have addressed these issues to larger extent. Scholars investigated the enhanced epoxy composites by adding carbon nanotubes, 12 nano graphite, 13 and other nanoparticles 14 to epoxy resins.…”

Evaluation of augmented thermal, thermo-mechanical, mechanical properties of nano alumina reinforced TGDDM epoxy nanocomposites

“…[17][18][19] The inclusion of Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles into epoxy to increase the mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy is one among them. 20 Furthermore, alumina nanoparticles have recently been reported as a promising nano reinforcement for an improved composite insulation material when compared to micronized alumina powder. However, the compatibility of epoxy with Al 2 O 3 is so poor that Al 2 O 3 cannot be evenly diffused inside the epoxy matrix.…”