Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy/Polyurethane/Nickel Manganite Nanocomposite: A Response Surface Methodology/Central Composite Designs Study

Abstract

In this study, NiMn2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized as a nanofiller via the sol–gel auto-combustion method. Then, epoxy/polyurethane/Nickel Manganite (EP/PU/NiMn2O4) nanocomposites were prepared via the ultrasonic method. Effects of the polyurethane weight percentage and the amount of NiMn2O4 NPs on the mechanical properties of EP resin were investigated using response surface methodology/central composite design (RSM/CCD) method. Tensile test, DMTA, XRD, FT-IR, SEM/EDAX, TGA and DRS analysis were performed to study the mechanical and chemical properties of these nanocomposites. FT-IR spectra of the nanocomposites show strong interactions between hydroxyl groups of NiMn2O4 and EP. SEM and XRD results showed the presence and distribution of NiMn2O4 NPs in polymer matrix and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) depicts that the nanocomposite has the best thermal stability in relation with EP and EP/PU. DMTA illustrated that the incorporation of NiMn2O4 NPs into EP/PU matrix increased storage module because of good interaction between NiMn2O4 nanoparticle and epoxy group. Tensile test showed the presence of NiMn2O4 NPs in polymer matrix improved the mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength, toughness and elongation at break. The optimal values of the PU and NiMn2O4 NPs factors were predicted to be (2.92 wt%) and (0.73 wt%) respectively.