Nanostructure transformation in epoxy/block copolymer composites with good mechanical properties

Abstract

Fabricating high performance thermosets through the formation of specific nanostructures via suitable design of block copolymer has become a new trend in recent years. While the correspondence between nanostructures and block copolymer was rarely reported, especially in the field of reaction-induced microphase separation. In our work, three linear diblock copolymers poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-polystyrene (PCL-PS) with similar molecular weights but different compositions were successfully synthesized. Then, they were implanted into the epoxy matrix to prepare nanostructured composites. The effects of PCL-PS concentration and composition on the organization and transformation of nanostructures in resin matrix were systemically investigated. Meanwhile, the relationship between macro properties of epoxy composites and the morphology of nanostructures was also researched. We hope readers can get some theoretical advice from our work for constructing specific nanostructures in epoxy composites depending on the self-assembly method of block copolymer.