Influences of Clay Loading and Nanoclay/Matrix Interface on Exfoliation of Nanoclays inEpoxy Matrices

摘要

Although nanofillers have shown great potential for producing compositematerials with multi-functional properties for thermoplastic polymers, it has notbeen realized fully for thermoset polymers. The problems were attributed to poordispersion and agglomeration of nanoclays, and incompatible chemistry at thenanofiller/matrix interface. The objective of this study is to understand theprocessing issues and the influences of nanofiller/matrix interface in thedevelopment of thermsoet based nanocomposites. The influences of IKA highshear mixing, amount of nanoclay loading, and nanofiller/matrix interface onexfoliation of nanoclays in epoxy matrices were investigated using XRD analysis.The results showed a significant influence of nanoclay loading on the extent ofexfoliation of nanoclay layers. Also, the results showed the interference of curingagent with nanofiller/matrix interface and hence on exfoliation of clay layers.Based on XRD analysis, the 1.30E Nanomer clay/Epon 828 resin compositesystem has been identified as a potential material for development of advancedmultifunctional materials.