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Effect of amine functionalized MWCNT‐epoxy interfacial interaction on MWCNT dispersion and mechanical properties of epoxy‐amine composites
Author(s) -
Zhang Qingjie,
Bai Gang,
Xiao Wei,
Sui Gang,
Yang Xiaoping
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.24832
Subject(s) - materials science , epoxy , composite material , carbon nanotube , nanocomposite , ultimate tensile strength , dispersion (optics) , amine gas treating , toughness , molecule , organic chemistry , chemistry , optics , physics
The incorporation of functionalized nano‐fillers into epoxy‐based composites shows a potential to improve material performances, which based on the modification mechanism is well understood. In this study, amine functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT‐NH 2 ) as an example was prepared and selected as a type of functionalized nano‐fillers to modify two kinds of tri‐functionality epoxy resins, i.e. diglycidyl‐4, 5‐epoxycyclohexane‐1, 2‐dicarboxylate (DGEAC) and n, n‐diglycidyl‐4‐glycidy‐loxyaniline (TGPAP). The interfacial interaction of MWCNT‐NH 2 with DGEAC or TGPAP was investigated by using molecular dynamics (MDs) simulations. Further investigation on how the interfacial interactions affected the dispersion of MWCNT‐NH 2 in each epoxy resin was conducted and their effects on the mechanical properties of the resulting nanocomposites were characterized. The MD simulation results indicated that a higher interfacial strength between MWCNT‐NH 2 and TGPAP molecule was formed, no matter with non‐covalent or covalent interaction, due to the presence of benzene ring and nitrogen atom in the backbone of TGPAP molecule. Moreover, the experimental results showed that the stronger binding strength of MWCNT‐NH 2 with TGPAP can bring more positive effect on the dispersion of MWCNT‐NH 2 in the TGPAP‐based resin matrix, and then resulting in the considerable improved tensile toughness compared with the neat sample and MWCNT‐NH 2 reinforced DGEAC‐based ones. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E2552–E2561, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers