Interface modification of clay and graphene platelets reinforced epoxy nanocomposites: a comparative study
The interface between the matrix phase and dispersed phase of a composite plays a critical role in influencing its properties. However, the intricate mechanisms of interface are not fully understood, and polymer nanocomposites are no exception. This study compares the fabrication, morphology, and me...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
Springer
2014
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-014-8296-y http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-014-8296-y http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/5855/1/izzuddin_zaman@bujang_[dr_wbsite]_U.pdf |
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| Summary: | The interface between the matrix phase and
dispersed phase of a composite plays a critical role in
influencing its properties. However, the intricate mechanisms
of interface are not fully understood, and polymer
nanocomposites are no exception. This study compares the
fabrication, morphology, and mechanical and thermal
properties of epoxy nanocomposites tuned by clay layers
(denoted as m-clay) and graphene platelets (denoted as m-
GP). It was found that a chemical modification, layer
expansion and dispersion of filler within the epoxy matrix
resulted in an improved interface between the filler material
and epoxy matrix. This was confirmed by Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron
microscope. The enhanced interface led to improved
mechanical properties (i.e. stiffness modulus, fracture
toughness) and higher glass transition temperatures (Tg)
compared with neat epoxy. At 4 wt% m-GP, the critical
strain energy release rate G1c of neat epoxy improved by
240 % from 179.1 to 608.6 J/m2 and Tg increased from
93.7 to 106.4 'C. In contrast to m-clay, which at 4 wt%,
only improved the G1c by 45 % and Tg by 7.1 %. The
higher level of improvement offered by m-GP is attributed
to the strong interaction of graphene sheets with epoxy
because the covalent bonds between the carbon atoms of
graphene sheets are much stronger than silicon-based clay. |
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