Abstract
As-made and calcined forms of large-pore (5.3 nm) mesostructured silica with a wormhole framework structure, denoted MSU-J, have been used to form rubbery epoxy mesocomposites containing 1.0−12% (w/w) silica. The tensile modulus, strength, toughness, and extension-at-break for the mesocomposites formed from as-made and calcined forms of MSU-J silica are systematically reinforced by up to 4.8, 5.7, 1.6, and 8.5 times, respectively, in comparison to the pure epoxy polymer. The composites represent the first examples wherein the reinforcement benefits provided by mesostructured silica particles are comparable to those provided by exfoliated organoclay nanolayers at equivalent loadings. Moreover, the reinforcement benefits are realized without the need for organic modification of the silica surface, and the increases in tensile properties occur with little or no sacrifice in optical transparency or thermal stability. The oxygen permeability of the mesocomposites prepared from as-made MSU-J silica increases dr...
Published Version
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