Abstract
The effect of ultrasonic treatment on thermal stability of binary systems containing epoxy and organic chemically modified montmorillonite (Cloisite 30B) was studied. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) analysis were utilized. The mixing of epoxy and Cloisite 30B nanocomposites was performed by mechanical stirring, followed by 1 or 3-hour ultrasonic treatment, and polyetheramine as the curing agent. Both XRD and TEM analyses confirmed that the intercalation of Cloisite 30B was achieved. Thed0spacings for silicate in cured sample prepared at 1- and 3-hour duration of ultrasonic treatment were about 21 and 18 Å, respectively. This shows that shorter duration or ultrasonic treatment may be preferable to achieve higherd0spacing of clay. This may be attributed to the increase in viscosity as homopolymerization process occurred, which restricts silicate dispersion. The 1-hour sonicated samples seem to be more thermally stable during the glass transition, but less stable during thermal decomposition process.
Highlights
The use of ultrasonic treatment was proven to be feasible in mixing nanoclay in epoxy
The longer time of ultrasonic treatment may lead to early polymerization and may degrade the properties of nanocomposite due to increased temperature during sonication
It is often stated that the layered silicate can increase the glass transition temperature (Tg ) by restricting the epoxy chain mobility
Summary
The use of ultrasonic treatment was proven to be feasible in mixing nanoclay in epoxy. The longer time of ultrasonic treatment may lead to early polymerization and may degrade the properties of nanocomposite due to increased temperature during sonication. It is often stated that the layered silicate can increase the glass transition temperature (Tg ) by restricting the epoxy chain mobility. They can reduce the Tg , due to the presence of hydroxyl group in unmodified mica and acidic onium ion in organically modified silicate, which both are capable of acting as a catalyst for epoxy homopolymerization [6, 7]. We report the morphology and thermal stability of epoxy clay nanocomposites prepared by the ultrasonic process
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