Epoxy nanocomposites containing exfoliated 2-D nanoplatelets at high loadings is difficult to achieve due to the significant energetic and entropic barriers required to overcome for nanoplatelets exfoliation. Exfoliated α-zirconium phosphate (ZrP) using proton exchanged polyetheramines as surfactants in epoxy resins have been well studied for decades with good exfoliation and improved properties. However, these nanocomposites exhibit significant reduction in glass transition temperature (T<sub>g</sub>) due to dissociation of polyetheramine surfactant from ZrP surface which interferes with the epoxy curing process. In this study, ZrP surfaces with covalently bound epoxide functional groups were used to achieve ZrP exfoliation in epoxy without sacrificing T<sub>g</sub>. By dual epoxide functionalization of ZrP, it is possible to achieve good dispersion and self-assembly of ZrP at high loadings in epoxy. The dual epoxide functionalization approach involves only simple chemistry with minimal organic fraction to achieve exfoliation in epoxy. Furthermore, this methodology allows for multi-functional applications in a controlled manner. The same approach described in this work can be applied for dispersion of other nanoparticles in different polymeric matrices for structural and functional applications.

High performance epoxy nanocomposites based on dual epoxide modified a-Zirconium phosphate nanoplatelets

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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