In situ cross‐linking capability of novel amine‐functionalized graphene with epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract

In situ chemical linkage between nanofillers and polymer is challenging, but it is an effective process for enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of polymer nanocomposites. Herein, novel amine-functionalized graphene is designed and developed to show the in situ chemical interaction with epoxy matrix. Three different graphene materials, graphene oxide (GO), carboxylic graphene oxide (GO COOH), and ethylenediamine substituted graphene oxide (GO CONHCH 2 CH 2 NH 2 ) is synthesized chemically, and epoxy nanocomposite with different wt% is fabricated. FTIR showed the presence of hydroxyl and amide bond formation, confirmed by 13 C-NMR, where the carboxylic carbon peak of GO at 193 ppm shifted to 184 ppm for GO CONHCH 2 CH 2 NH 2 . Elemental analysis by XPS showed that C: O: N of GO changed from 70:30:0 to 79:13:8 for GO CONHCH 2 CH 2 NH 2 . Three-point bending studies revealed that maximum flexural strength and modulus for GO CONHCH 2 CH 2 NH 2 incorporated epoxy polymer composite because of intermolecular chemical bond formation between the epoxy resin and GO CONHCH 2 CH 2 NH 2 . The formation of a chemical bond between GO CONHCH 2 CH 2 NH 2 and epoxy polymer is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and XPS analysis. The mechanism of forming an in situ chemical bond between amine-functionalized graphene and the epoxy polymer is derived based on experimental evidence.

Polymer/Graphene Nanocomposite Membranes: Status and Emerging Prospects

“…The mean surface roughness of the neat polymer was 2.9 ± 0.23 nm, which was decreased to 2.5 ± 0.30 nm with 1 wt.% GO loading. The graphene loading revealed an electrostatic interaction and a good compatibility with the membrane matrix, and so the roughness was decreased [140][141][142]. Moreover, the GO loading of up to 1 wt.% increased the charge and zeta potential of the membranes.…”