Nanocomposites

Chapter 7

Vadim Irzhak

composites, epoxy oligomers

1. Introduction

113

Abstract

Kinetic Features of Synthesis of

Kinetic features of the formation of epoxy nanocomposites with carbon (nanotubes, graphene, and graphite), metal-containing, and aluminosilicate (montmorillonite and halloysite) fillers are considered. In contrast to linear polymers, epoxy nanocomposites are obtained only via the curing of epoxy oligomers in the presence of filler or the corresponding precursor. These additives may affect the kinetics of the process and the properties of the resulting matrix. A high reactivity of epoxy groups and a thermodynamic miscibility of epoxy oligomers with many substances make it possible to use diverse curing agents and to accomplish curing reactions under various technological conditions. The mutual effect of both a matrix

and nanoparticles on the kinetics of the composite formation is discussed.

Keywords: polymer nanocomposites, epoxy matrices, nanoparticles, synthesis of

Since around the mid-1990s, polymer nanocomposites have become the subject

nanoparticles. Nanosized particles, as opposed to microinclusions and coarser inclusions, are not stress concentrators, and this circumstance facilitates a marked improvement in the mechanical properties of nanocomposites. Compared with the respective polymers, the transparency of nanocomposites does not decrease, because nanoparticles do not scatter light because of their small sizes. Depending on the type of nanoparticles introduced in polymeric materials even at a low concentration, nanocomposites acquire remarkable chemical (primarily catalytic), electrophysical,

of considerable attention, as evidenced by monographs, and a great number of reviews [1]. The application of nanocomposites is associated with their unique

properties related to a huge specific surface and high surface energy of

and biomedical properties, thereby opening wide potential for their use [1].

performance characteristics of their curing products [3–5].

Among polymer nanocomposites, it would appear that composites based on an epoxy matrix occupy an insignificant place—nearly 10% as to the number of publications—but an ever-increasing number of papers appear annually. Moreover, the interest in them grows almost exponentially, as evidenced by the number of citations [2]. Epoxy polymers in terms of a set of properties stand out among other polymeric materials and play an important role in aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, and other industries. Their wide application in engineering is associated, firstly, with a high processability of epoxy resins and, secondly, with the unique combination of

Epoxy Nanocomposites

## Chapter 7
