Polymers offer a wide variety of uses in aerospace, additive manufacturing, and energy storage applications to name a few. These materials provide both flexibility and durability, however mechanical stability and electrical conductivity can be further improved with the incorporation of filler materials. Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) offer rich chemistries and unique morphologies that offer metallic conductivity and hydrophilicity coupled with good mechanical properties. Additionally, the aqueous environment for MXene synthesis results in various tunable surface terminations. MXene-polymer composites have been studied as electrodes in supercapacitors and Li-ion batteries, water desalination, electromagnetic interference shielding, and biomedical applications. However, few studies have focused on their role for improving mechanical and electrical properties of epoxy composites through optimized dispersion of filler and strong bonding at the interfacial region. MXenes have been shown to have a Young’s modulus of 330 GPa surpassing both GO and rGO making it one of the strongest solution-processable 2D materials. Additionally, effects of glass transition temperature, onset of curing, and heat of reaction with incorporation of MXene nanofillers have yet to be explored. Here, we present a systematic study of Ti3C2 MXene-epoxy composites with strong interface and uniform dispersions resulting in both improved electrical and mechanical properties. Increases in Tg and decreases in heat of reaction were also observed for small quantities of MXene filler. Lastly, we explored transferring of MXene properties to common epoxy-based fiber-reinforced composites to add new damage-sensing capabilities.

Epoxy-based nanocomposites using transition metal carbides (MXenes) for improved mechanical and electrical properties and damage-sensing applications

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.