Preparation of organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites from chemically modified epoxy and novolac resins and silica-attached carbon nanotubes by sol-gel process: Investigation of thermal degradation and stability

Abstract

Abstract Hear, three hybrid composites with high char yield and thermal stability were prepared form tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS)-modified epoxy resin (MER), (3-glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GPTES)-modified novolac resin (MNR), epoxidized novolac resin (ENR), and silica-grafted carbon nanotube (SFCNT) by a sol-gel method. The first class was prepared from MER and SFCNT. The second class was prepared from MER, MNR, and SFCNT. And the third class was prepared from MNR, ENR, and SFCNT. TEOS was used as covalent coupling agent in the sol-gel process. Results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed successful modification of epoxy and novolac resins, modification of silica nanoparticles with (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), and also functionalization of CNT with amine-modified silica nanoparticles. Results of thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that the hybrid composite containing 4 wt% of SFCNT, MNR, and ENR shows the highest char yield of 58.4%. The hybrid composite containing 4 wt% of SFCNT and MER shows the highest degradation temperature of 442.7 °C. Finally, the hybrid composite formed from 4 wt% of SFCNT, MER, and MNR shows degradation temperature of 439.0 °C and char yield of 47.2%. Microscopic images and X-ray diffraction results confirmed attachment of silica particles at the surface of CNT by chemical bonding.