Interface modification of clay and graphene platelets reinforced epoxy nanocomposites: a comparative study

• Main Authors: Zaman, Izzuddin, Manshoor, Bukhari, Khalid, Amir, Meng, Qingshi, Araby, Sherif
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer International Publishing 2014
• Subjects: TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery; TA401-492 Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
• Online Access: http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/4570/1/AJ%202017%20%28191%29%20Interface%20modi%EF%AC%81cation%20of%20clay%20and%20graphene%20platelets.pdf; http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/4570/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-014-8296-y

The interface between the matrix phase and dispersed phase of a composite plays a critical role in influencing its properties. However, the intricate mecha-nisms 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 mate-rial 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.