Dispersion of Functionalized Nanoclay Platelets in an Amine-Cured Epoxy Resin System

Published

June 1, 2002

Author(s)

D T. Raghavan, E Feresenbet, D Yebassa, A Emekalam, Gale A. Holmes

Abstract

Nanocomposites are a relatively new class of materials obtained by dispersing montmorillonite clay in polymer matrix. Evidences from literature suggest that clay platelet dispersion during nanocomposite preparation and clay-matrix adhesion are major technical issues that need to be addressed in order to achieve the desired property enhancements in polymer-clay hybrid nanocomposites. We have studied the interaction of the organically functionalized clay with the epoxy resin by including along the chain structure functional groups that will facilitate interaction with the resin. Through some conventional routes, functional molecules have been synthesized and deposited on the clay surface. Both the functionalized and nonfunctionalized clay have been analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).. The exfoliation of nanoclay platelets in the amine cured epoxy system has been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Citation

MRS Conference

Volume

703

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

adhesion, clay, dispersion, epoxy, montmorillonite, nanocomposite, transmission electron microscopy, vernolic acid, x-ray diffraction

Citation

Raghavan, D. , Feresenbet, E. , Yebassa, D. , Emekalam, A. and Holmes, G. (2002), Dispersion of Functionalized Nanoclay Platelets in an Amine-Cured Epoxy Resin System, MRS Conference (Accessed March 13, 2025)