Magnetic field induced alignment of graphene nanoplatelets in epoxy resin to develop model nanocomposite

Abstract

In this work, a mathematical model is developed to optimize the alignment parameters of Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNP) and Fe3O4-GNP applying a weak DC magnetic field (0.05 T), considering rotation, translation, migration, and slackening mechanisms of the nanoparticle in the epoxy. The characteristic magnetic, viscosity and hydrodynamic parameters required by the mathematic model are determined experimentally by synthesizing the magnetite ferric oxide (Fe3O4) and attaching them to GNP to increase its magnetic susceptibility. A highly aligned Fe3O4-GNP nanocomposite is fabricated at 0.05 T magnetic field and 40 Pa-s dynamic viscosity of epoxy, as evident from the optical image analysis. The mass magnetic susceptibility for the nanoparticles are determined at different magnetic field. Time needed for the alignment process at 0.05 T and viscosity range 10–50 Pa-s are compared among the rotation, chaining, migration and the slackening phenomena. The procedure demonstrated to prepare fully cured nanocomposite with aligned Fe3O4-GNP can be used in advanced structures.

Experimental characterization optimizing the alignment parameter for GNP epoxy base nanocomposite via a weak DC magnetic field

“…For obtaining Fe 3 O 4 -GNP nanoparticles anhydrous FeCl 3 and GNP was added to 50 mL EG solution, rest process being same. 1…”

“…To gain insights into the dynamic chemorheological properties of the epoxy during the curing process, a comprehensive characterization was performed and reported in the previous segment of this study. 1 The Anton Paar MCR302 rheometer, equipped with a parallel plate attachment, was utilized for this purpose. The rheometer enabled precise measurements and analysis of the epoxy's behavior under controlled conditions.…”

“…To explore the magnetic characteristics of the studied materials, magnetic hysteresis loops were captured using a VSM provided by Quantum Design, United States and reported in the previous segment of this study. 1 The measurements were performed at room temperature (300 K) to maintain consistency and align with practical scenarios. The VSM is a commonly employed instrument for evaluating the magnetic behavior of materials.…”

“…Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles can form magnetically active graphene hybrids, which can be manipulated by external magnetic fields. [24][25][26] Based on magnetophoretic (MAP) and classical hydrodynamics, we have recently proposed a mathematical model 1 that optimized the alignment-influencing parameters for the nanoparticles Fe 3 O 4 -GNP, such as magnetic susceptibility and magnetic field, viscosity, and necessary time in epoxy before the gelation process of epoxy under the weak magnetic field. In order to utilize the predictions of optimizing the influencing parameters for alignment in epoxy by the mathematical model, superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 ) were synthesized and applied to the surface of GNP.…”

“…Shows (A) N2 adsorption and desorption isotherms, (B) BJH isotherm curves (by adsorption), (C) cumulated surface area versus pore diameter, and (D) cumulated pore volume versus pore diameter of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and Fe 3 O 4 -GNP.F I G U R E 1 0 Show the optical microscope images of the Fe 3 O 4 -graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) before and after curing in the epoxy under the weak magnetic field. The aforementioned data are sourced from the preceding section of this study 1. displays typical characteristics of brittle fracture, with a wrinkle-like or "river-like" texture observed as a result of crack initiation (Figure13A,C).…”