Preparation of HNTs‐d‐GO hybrid nanoparticles for gallic acid epoxy composites with improved thermal and mechanical properties

Abstract

AbstractKH550 modified halloysite nanotubes (m‐HNTs) were hybridized with sulfoxide chloride acylated graphene oxide (m‐GO) to prepare hybrid nanoparticles (HNTs‐d‐GO). The microstructure and morphology analysis of HNTs‐d‐GO hybrid nanoparticles showed that the ordered lamellar structure of GO after acyl chlorination was stripped, and the organic groups on the surface of the lamellar increased. HNTs‐d‐GO hybrid nanoparticles were formed through the amidation of m‐HNTs and m‐GO. Then HNTs‐d‐GO hybrid nanoparticles were incorporated in galic acid epoxy resin to improve the thermal and mechanical properties. HNTs‐d‐GO/galic acid epoxy resin (HNTs‐d‐GO/GAER) bio‐based nanocomposites were prepared with methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride as curing agent. The galic acid epoxy composites with the addition of HNTs‐d‐GO exhibited significant enhancements of impact strength, tensile strength, storage modulus, and glass transition temperature. The initial thermal decomposition temperature (T5%) decreased, and the mass retention at 800°C increased, thermal stability of HNTs‐d‐GO/GAER composites were enhanced. At an optimum concentration of 0.75 wt% HNTs‐d‐GO, a simultaneous increase in strength and toughness was observed in comparison to the unfilled cured resin, the impact strength is 2.87 kJ/m2, which is 30.4% higher than pure GAER, and the tensile strength is 42.62 MPa, which is 29.2% higher than pure GAER. Compared with pure gallic acid epoxy resin, the content of HNTs‐d‐GO is 0.25 wt%, Tg increased by 28.9°C.