Ritts A.C., Yu Q., Li H.
University of Missouri-Columbia, US
Keywords: amine, crosslinking, low-temperature plasma
Nanofillers were functionalized with amine groups using low-temperature plasma to enhance dispersion and interfacial tension with Epon 815C resin. The amine groups remained on the coating surface were anticipated to strengthen the interfacial interactions through chemical bond formation between the fillers and matrix. Plasma nanocoated MWNTs and SiCNFs were characterized using SEM, XRD, FTIR, surface contact angle and pH value measurements. Dog bone shaped specimens were prepared for mechanical testing of the resulted nanocomposites. The fractured interface was examined using SEM to study the fracture mechanisms. Mechanical testing results showed that all SiCNF reinforced nanocomposites were found to be stronger than the MWNT reinforced nanocomposites. It was found that, however, all nanocomposites prepared from untreated MWNTs and SiCNFs had inferior mechanical strength as compared with the controls of the pure epoxy samples. Our results indicated that plasma coated MWNTs had better dispersed in the Epon 815C resin than the uncoated ones. Therefore, improved mechanical reinforcement of the resulted nanocomposites is expected. Further detailed results on mechanical testing and filler-matrix interface characterization are being collected and will be reported and discussed in this conference.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Nanotechnology 2008: Materials, Fabrication, Particles, and Characterization – Technical Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 1
Published: June 1, 2008
Pages: 371 - 374
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Composite Materials
ISBN: 978-1-4200-8503-7