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Thermomechanical and barrier properties of UV‐cured epoxy/O‐montmorillonite nanocomposites
Author(s) -
Peila Roberta,
Malucelli Giulio,
Lazzari Massimo,
Priola Aldo
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.21681
Subject(s) - montmorillonite , materials science , epoxy , nanocomposite , composite material
Mixtures of an epoxy resin and organophilic montmorillonites were subjected to ultraviolet (UV)‐induced photopolymerization. Two types of commercially available nanoclays, namely Cloisite 30B and Cloisite Na + , were modified through interaction with organic compatibilizers (dodecylsuccinic anhydride, octadecylamine, octadecyl alcohol, and octadecanoic acid). The modified nanoclays, dispersed in the liquid epoxy resin at 5 wt%, were photopolymerized to get nanocomposite films. The kinetics of the photopolymerization was evaluated by means of real‐time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The modified nanoclays and their nanocomposites were characterized through X‐ray diffractometry; transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of intercalated and partially exfoliated morphologies in the nanocomposites. Thermogravimetric and dynamic‐mechanical analyses showed an increase of the thermal properties and an increase of the glass transition temperatures of the nanocomposites compared with that of the neat UV‐cured resin. Finally, the oxygen barrier properties of nanocomposite films, coated on a polyethyleneterephtalate substrate, were evaluated; the decrease of permeability was correlated with the degree of exfoliation of the nanocomposites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers