In Situ Reduction of Graphene Oxide in an Epoxy Resin Thermally Cured with Amine

Abstract

A procedure is proposed to prepare electrically conductive epoxy resin composites exploiting in situ reduction of graphene oxide (GOx) during the epoxy thermal curing in presence of amine. The optimum curing conditions are evaluated, and the efficiency of the reduction process of GOx induced by amine is confirmed by XPS analyses. The composites electrical resistivity show a decrease by increasing filler amount, and this can only be due to the partial restoration of the conductive sp 2 structure occurred during thermal curing. This is a simple, easy-to-scale, one-step process to obtain electrically conductive epoxy cured materials by mixing the resin components and the well dispersible insulating GOx.

Preparation of binary and hybrid epoxy nanocomposites containing graphene oxide and rubber nanoparticles: Fracture toughness and mechanical properties

“…In recent years, the use of graphene‐based materials for improving the fracture toughness and mechanical properties of epoxies have attracted considerable attention and, in comparison to the use of nanoclay and carbon nanotubes, showed better performance . Graphene oxide (GO), which is a graphene derivative with abundant oxygen‐containing functional groups, has been used in epoxy resins and, in comparison to graphene, has shown better dispersion in the epoxy. Moreover, the functional groups of GO can effectively enhance the interfacial interactions between GO and epoxy; this leads to more compatibility between them and also promotes stress transfer from the epoxy to GO nanosheets …”

Study of benzophenone grafting on reduced graphene oxide by unconventional techniques

“…Different amounts of BP (1, 3 and 5 wt/wt in comparison to the amount of GO) were added to the GO dispersion in DMF and UV irradiated for 5 minutes. 38 The data confirmed the crucial role of BP in the reduction process, since a nearly complete reduction was obtained even at low BP concentration, as indicated by the evident decrease of peaks II and III in the treated samples. The XPS survey spectra of pristine GO before and after UV irradiation and of the three samples containing BP revealed the presence of carbon and oxygen only at the sample surfaces (ESI Figures S1 to S5).…”

Investigation of the effect of graphene oxide on the properties of epoxy‐phthalonitrile nanocomposites

“…The nanosized graphene oxide (GO) is widely utilized as reinforcement fillers for polymer composites, as it can be easily produced, cheaper, and acts an effective toughening agent for polymers. Because of these remarkable properties, GO is identified as a very good alternative for carbon nanotube‐based composites . There are plenty of functional groups, such as hydroxyl, epoxy, and carboxyl groups, present on the surface of GO.…”

“…There are plenty of functional groups, such as hydroxyl, epoxy, and carboxyl groups, present on the surface of GO. The presence of these groups make them to interact with the polymer matrix, to achieve better dispersion and thus enhance their properties …”