Resin Nanocomposites Research Articles

A Novel Method for Significant Enhancement of the Mechanical Properties of Unsaturated Polyester Resin Nanocomposites Through Targeted Control of Curing Kinetics and Network-Particle Interaction Utilizing Metal-Organic Frameworks MIL-53-NH2(Al)

A Novel Method for Significant Enhancement of the Mechanical Properties of Unsaturated Polyester Resin Nanocomposites Through Targeted Control of Curing Kinetics and Network-Particle Interaction Utilizing Metal-Organic Frameworks MIL-53-NH2(Al)

Scaling Up the Production of Nanocomposite Resin Coated Sand Particles from Laboratory to Industrial Scale

Scaling Up the Production of Nanocomposite Resin Coated Sand Particles from Laboratory to Industrial Scale

Study on the engineering properties of abaca/hemp/kenaf natural fiber mats reinforced with Anogeissus latifolia, polyester resin, and fly ash nano powder nanocomposites

Study on the engineering properties of abaca/hemp/kenaf natural fiber mats reinforced with Anogeissus latifolia, polyester resin, and fly ash nano powder nanocomposites

Toward Self-Powered Sensors for Traffic Monitoring and Energy Harvesting—Fundamental Principles and Results Based on SbSI/Epoxy Resin Nanocomposite

Toward Self-Powered Sensors for Traffic Monitoring and Energy Harvesting—Fundamental Principles and Results Based on SbSI/Epoxy Resin Nanocomposite

Thermal stability and decomposition kinetics of polybenzoxazine and oligomeric polyhedral octaphenyl silsesquioxane nanocomposites

AbstractIn this study, the impact of octaphenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) on the thermal stability of polybenzoxazine resin at 1, 3, and 5 wt% POSS loading through dynamic thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at heating rates of 10, 20, 30 and 40°C min−1 was investigated. Besides, the decomposition kinetics of polybenzoxazine resin (PBZ) and various nanocomposites were studied using Kissinger, Friedman, Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa (FWO) and Coats‐Redfern (CR) models and also, the activation energies of samples were calculated. At first, benzoxazine monomer was synthesized and then nanocomposites were prepared via solution mixing method. The qualitative dispersion of nanoparticles in benzoxazine resin was examined through the utilization of scanning electron microscopy and x‐ray diffraction experiments. The results showed that the addition of nanoparticles improved the thermal stability of PBZ resin specially at 1 wt% POSS loading and at higher POSS content the thermal stability of the resin decreased. As determined by TGA, the char yield of resin was enhanced by 2.6% upon the addition of 1 wt% nanoparticles. In addition, in 1 weight percent of nanoparticles, as the heating rate rose from 10 to 40°C min−1, the Integral Program Decomposition Temperature (IPDT) has increased by about 260°C, and this increase is about 183°C compared to the resin, and also elevating the heating rate, Td (5%) and Td (10%) weight loss of samples shifted to higher temperatures. The degradation mechanism of the resin and nanocomposites was evaluated through Kissinger, Friedman, FWO and CR models. The results displayed that the addition of 1 wt% nanoparticles increased the activation energy (Ea) values of the nanocomposites compared to that of neat resin and above this filler content, the Ea values decreased. The findings derived from the FWO model indicated that the inclusion of a 1 wt% filler raised the Ea values of the first and second stages of PBZ resin decomposition from 136–200 and 151–214 kJ mol−1 to 148–210 and 180–228 kJ mol−1, respectively.

Effect of holmium oxide nanoparticle on the mechanical properties of epoxy resin composites

In this study, holmium oxide/epoxy resin (Ho2O3/EP) nanocomposites were prepared by using different additions of Ho2O3 nanoparticles as nanofiller. The surface-modification treatment of Ho2O3 was applied with a silane coupling agent (SCA) to improve the interfacial combination between Ho2O3 and EP. The effect of SCA treatment on the chemical structure of Ho2O3 was investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The effects of Ho2O3 nanoparticle and SCA treatment on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were studied. The fracture morphology of the EP nanocomposites was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to explore the failure mechanism of the EP nanocomposites with Ho2O3 nanoparticle. The experimental results show the tensile and flexural strengths of the nanocomposites are improved when Ho2O3 content is 1 wt. %. The tensile and flexural strengths were increased to 73.42 MPa and 130.85 MPa, respectively. But on further increase in Ho2O3 content of 1.5 wt. %, the tensile and flexural strengths were reduced. The SCA treatment could increase the interfacial bonding by containing C-H and Si-O functional groups, promoting the tensile properties, flexural properties, impact toughness, and fracture properties of the nanocomposites.

Self-assembly Fe-Co MOF@BN and epoxy resin nano composites with highly enhanced flame retardancy and smoke suppression properties

A shuttle-shaped Fe-Co bimetallic metal organic frameworks (MOFs) on sheet-like hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) was fabricated via an organic-inorganic hybrid strategy, forming a novel Fe-Co MOF@BN flame retardant, and the hybrids together with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) were incorporated into epoxy resins to explore their flame retardancy and smoke suppression effects. When combining 0.5 % Fe-Co MOF@BN with 9.5 % APP, the peak heat release rate, peak smoke release rate, CO production rate, and peak CO2 production rate of the EP composite (EP/APP/Fe-Co MOF@BN) were reduced by 73.7 %, 71.4 %, 70 %, and 80 % respectively, compared to epoxy. The limiting oxygen index increases to 30.2 %, indicating the EP/APP/Fe-Co MOF@BN composites have superior fire safety performance. The excellent fire performance of EP/APP/Fe-Co MOF@BN composites benefiting from the barrier effect of Fe-Co MOF@BN lamellar structure, the catalytic carbonization of Fe and Co, the gas phase dilution of APP and the enhancement of the cross-linking degree of the char layer. Meanwhile, Fe-Co MOF@BN improves the dispersion of APP in the EP composites, which broadens the application range of MOF and h-BN. Herein, the EP/APP/Fe-CoMOF@BN composites with high flame retardancy, low smoke production rate, and excellent mechanical properties provide a feasible solution for the use of EP under high temperatures.

Nonlinear Conductivity and Thermal Stability of Anti-Corona Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites.

The long-term operation of motors induces substantial alterations in the surface conductivity and nonlinear coefficient of anti-corona paint, diminishing its efficacy and jeopardizing the longevity of large motors. Hence, the development of high-performance anti-corona paint holds paramount importance in ensuring motor safety. In this study, we integrate two nano-fillers, namely silicon carbide (SiC) and organic montmorillonite (O-MMT), into a composite matrix comprising micron silicon carbide and epoxy resin (SiC/EP). Subsequently, three distinct types of anti-corona paint are formulated: SiC/EP, Nano-SiC/EP, and O-MMT/SiC/EP. Remarkably, O-MMT/SiC/EP exhibits a glass transition temperature about 25 °C higher than that of SiC/EP, underscoring its superior thermal properties. Moreover, the introduction of nano-fillers markedly augments the surface conductivity of the anti-corona paint. Aging tests, conducted across varying temperatures, unveil a notable reduction in the fluctuation range of surface conductivity post-aging. Initially, the nonlinear coefficients exhibit a declining trend, succeeded by an ascending trajectory. The O-MMT/SiC/EP composite displays a maximum nonlinearity coefficient of 1.465 and a minimum of 1.382. Furthermore, the incorporation of nanofillers amplifies the dielectric thermal stability of epoxy resin composites, with O-MMT/SiC/EP showcasing the pinnacle of thermal endurance. Overall, our findings elucidate the efficacy of nano-fillers in enhancing the performance and longevity of anti-corona paint, particularly highlighting the exceptional attributes of the O-MMT/SiC/EP composite in bolstering motor safety through improved thermal stability and electrical properties.

Enhanced interlaminar structure and dynamic mechanical properties of Tectona grandis fiber (TGF)/polypropylene fiber (PPF)/carbon nanotube (CNT) nano composite prepared solid dipping coating process

Abstract The interlaminar structure and dynamic mechanical properties of Tectona grandis fiber (TGF), polypropylene fiber (PPF), and carbon nanotube (CNT) nano composite were investigated in the current study. In order to improve the mechanical characteristics and microstructure, the present investigations used T. grandis fiber and polypropylene fiber (inorganic–organic) materials mixed with nano composite and epoxy resin. Strong bonding strength and high wear resistance were created by the silane characteristics during the coating process for the outer surface layers. Since CNT nanomaterials were directly reflected onto the outer surface, the microstructure analyses amply demonstrated that hexagonal lattice structure and crystallisation development were detected in the inner surface layer. In order to increase high stiffness and bonding strength, storage modulus and loss modulus values were applied to all composite materials, and the TGF/PPF/CNT composite materials’ hardness value was developed at 112 HV. The tensile strength of TG/PP composite was 46.7 MPa, while that of TGF/PPF/CNT composite was 57.4 MPa. Studies on wear resistance showed unequivocally that the TGF/PPF/CNT composite reduced wear and friction.

Polymer Nanocomposite Sensors with Improved Piezoelectric Properties through Additive Manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing (AM) technology has recently seen increased utilization due to its versatility in using functional materials, offering a new pathway for next-generation conformal electronics in the smart sensor field. However, the limited availability of polymer-based ultraviolet (UV)-curable materials with enhanced piezoelectric properties necessitates the development of a tailorable process suitable for 3D printing. This paper investigates the structural, thermal, rheological, mechanical, and piezoelectric properties of a newly developed sensor resin material. The polymer resin is based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as a matrix, mixed with constituents enabling UV curability, and boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are added to form a nanocomposite resin. The results demonstrate the successful micro-scale printability of the developed polymer and nanocomposite resins using a liquid crystal display (LCD)-based 3D printer. Additionally, incorporating BNNTs into the polymer matrix enhanced the piezoelectric properties, with an increase in the voltage response by up to 50.13%. This work provides new insights for the development of 3D printable flexible sensor devices and energy harvesting systems.

The effect of processing/curing temperature and viscosity of epoxy resins on the flexural/tensile properties of GNP-epoxy resin nanocomposites

Despite the problem of graphene aggregation in cured epoxy resin, no studies have clarified the tendency of graphene aggregation in a wide variety of material systems and process. We hypothesized that the use of epoxy resins at high temperatures leads to an extreme decrease in resin surface tension and viscosity of epoxy, which would cause re-aggregation of graphene once dispersed. So, we examined process/material with/without high temperature treatment and epoxy resins of different viscosities, and properties of nanocomposites were evaluated by flexural/tensile test. Experiments revealed that the process not including high temperature treatment suppressed graphene re-aggregation and maintained the high mechanical properties of nanocomposites. In particular, the increased tensile modulus by 18.44% and flexural strength by 2.81% (@ 1 wt% graphene loading), which were quite high for non-functionalized graphene, were recorded when epoxy was treated and cured at 20 ˚C at all times to keep the surface tension of epoxy desirable.

Green preparation of versatile silver-based nanocomposites using whole biomass-based Tannin-Furfural as raw materials

Phenolic resin (PR) nanomaterials, which serve as excellent carriers for precious metals, are typically synthesized via the cross-linked reaction of phenol and formaldehyde, and both are toxic. Therefore, replacing them with whole biomass-based materials is an attractive alternative; however, it has proven to be a significant challenge. In this study, we successfully prepared versatile Ag-based resin nanocomposites (referred to as TFR@Ag) by utilizing whole biomass-based tannin and furfural as raw feedstock. The resulting TFR nanospheres exhibited high stability and uniformity, with tunable sizes ranging from 280 to 1430 nm by adjusting the amount of ammonia used in the synthesis process. Importantly, compared to traditional PR nanospheres, the novel and environmentally friendly TFR nanospheres possess abundant phenolic-OH groups that significantly enhance their adsorption, reduction and chelation capacity for Ag+. The highest loading amount of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) achieved was up to 60.3 wt% with a size of only 10.6 nm. The as-obtained TFR@Ag nanocomposites demonstrated excellent catalytic activity in treating typical hazardous dye-containing wastewater. As catalyst, the 0.4 mg TFR@Ag were capable of achieving full reduction of 2 mL 40 mg·mL−1 methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) in just one minute, exhibiting reaction rate constants of 1.71 min−1 and 2.40 min−1, respectively. Moreover, as antibacterial agents, the TFR@Ag nanocomposite effectively inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) with a bacterial inhibition rate close to 100 %. This work presents a new strategy for green synthesis of multi-functional Ag-based nanocomposites that hold great potential in various fields such as catalysis, nanomaterials science and biomedicine.

Investigating the chemical stability and thermal functionality of DMPT promoted TiO2 nanoparticles on unsaturated polyester resin

The incessant emergence of failures in mining roofs, along with escalating demands for high and sustainable roof support products such as resin anchor bolt capsules (resin), necessitates strengthening these elements. This study explores the transformative influence of Titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2) and its concentration on the chemical properties, stability, and thermal performance of polyester resin (UPE) nanocomposites. The investigation was carried out using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Rheological behavior was assessed with a Brookfield viscometer, while thermal stability was examined via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA, DTG, and DTA). From the results obtained, the addition of nanoparticle TiO2 yielded a little significant change in the shift of the FTIR wavelength. However, substantial Raman peak disappearance from the peaks of the UPE neat compared to composites. The shift in Raman is associated with an increase in crystallinity due to TiO2 content. X-ray diffraction confirms the seamless presence of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles in the polyester resin matrix. The resin curing kinetics exhibit a 50-s reduction in the time to reach the exothermic peak when the nanomaterial content reaches 3 % in TiO2. An increase in nanomaterial content leads to a shorter time to peak at a higher exothermic temperature, indicating improved resin cure rates. This study substantiates enhanced chemical and thermal stabilities with increasing nanomaterial content, affirming the positive impact of nanomaterial infusion on resin resilience and stability.

A Transparent Photoresist Made of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle-Embedded Acrylic Resin with a Tunable Refractive Index for UV-Imprint Lithography

Transparent photoresists with a high refractive index (RI) and high transmittance in visible wavelengths have promising functionalities in optical fields. This work reports a kind of tunable optical material composed of titanium dioxide nanoparticles embedded in acrylic resin with a high RI for ultraviolet (UV)-imprint lithography. The hybrid film exhibits a tunable RI of up to 1.67 (589 nm) after being cured by UV light, while maintaining both a high transparency of over 98% in the visible light range and a low haze of less than 0.05%. The precision machining of optical microstructures can be imprinted easily and efficiently using the hybrid resin, which acts as a light guide plate (LGP) to guide the light from the side to the top in order to conserve the energy of the display device. These preliminary studies based on both laboratory and commercial experiments pave the way for exploiting the unparalleled optical properties of nanocomposite resins and promoting their industrial application.

Effect of different cavity liners on nanocomposite resin shear bond strength to dentine.

The effect of different cavity liners on the shear bond strength of nanocomposite to dentin is of interest. A total of sixty extracted caries-free maxillary, mandibular molars were randomly assigned to four groups in the following manner Group 1: control (no cavity liner), group 2: Biodentin, group 3: Apacal ART and Group 4: Giomer. Following the application of different cavity liners based on the groups, restoration was carried out using nanocomposite resin using the total-etch Tetric N bond adhesive. The samples were thereafter subjected to a shear bond strength test at a cross-head speed of 1 mm/min until bond failure occurred, utilizing the universal testing machine. The one-way ANOVA test and the post hoc test were used to evaluate the data for pairwise group comparisons. Compared to the control group, all groups showed lower shear bond strength to dentin, irrespective of the type of liner. Apacal ART showed higher shear bond strength followed by giomer and biodentin. However, there's no apparent statistical difference between the groups.

Novel transparent lignin/epoxy resin nanocomposite film development with enhanced UV resistance performance

AbstractThe increased importance of nanostructured lignin exhibits a plethora of multifunctional groups, making it a highly adaptable material basis with significant potential for use in the rapidly expanding composite sector. Initially, lignin nanoparticles (NPs) were incorporated into epoxy networks via an in situ polymerization process where isophorone diamine functioned as a hardener to produce lignin/epoxy resin nanocomposites (lignin@TN). These lignin@TN exhibit promising characteristics, enhancing UV‐blocking efficiency (35.69% at 404 nm with 3.72 wt% lignin) in transparent nanocomposite films while simultaneously improving mechanical properties compared with neat epoxy resin. Adding lignin nanoparticles to epoxy nanocomposites boost up tensile strength by an impressive 24% compared with the pristine epoxy but it affected the glass transition temperature (Tg). After all, this study has opened new possibilities for utilizing renewable, sustainable, and economic lignin feedstocks as a potential ingredient for reinforcing with thermoset polymers like epoxy.

Flexural strength of 3D-printed nanocomposite provisional resins: Impact of SiO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles and printing orientations in vitro.

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the influence of zirconium dioxide nanoparticles (ZrO2 NPs) and silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) addition and printing orientation on the flexural strength (FS) of provisional three-dimensional (3D) printing resins undergoing thermal cycling (TC). Three dimensional-printed resin (NextDent C&B MFH) was used to fabricate 300bar-shaped specimens (25×2×2mm3 ). The ZrO2 NPs and SiO2 NPs specimens were divided into two groups, then subdivided into three groups, based on the nanoparticle concentration (i.e., 0 wt% (original group), 0.5 wt%, and 1 wt%). Each concentration was printed in three printing orientations (0°, 45°, and 90°). The printed specimens were exposed to 5000 cycles of TC, followed by a three-point bending test to assess the FS. Fracture surface analysis was conducted by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). For data analysis, ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc were utilized (α = 0.05). Compared to the original material, the addition of ZrO2 NPs and SiO2 NPs had a significantly positive impact on the FS, (P > 0.001). After TC, the FS of the original group decreased significantly and had the lowest value. The highest FS value was observed in 1% ZrO2 NPs at 0°. Regardless of the nanoparticle concentration, the 0° orientation consistently showed a higher FS, compared to the 45° and 90° orientations. At all orientations (i.e., 0°, 45°, and 90°), the FS significantly increased with the addition of NPs, compared with that of the original material (P > 0.001). TC had a significantly negative effect on the FS of the unmodified groups. However, no significant differences existed in FS among the modified groups after TC. The addition of SiO2 NPs and ZrO2 NPs increased the FS of the 3D-printed provisional resin. Regardless of the nanoparticle concentration, the 0° orientation had the higher FS. TC had an effect on the original resin, whereas it had no significant effect on the nanoparticle-modified resins. In clinical practice, 3D-printed provisional nanocomposite resins printed at the 0° orientation could be recommended for long-term dental provisional restorations.

Analysis of the Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed Removable Partial Denture Base Materials

ABSTRACT Background: Recent advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing have introduced novel materials for removable partial dentures (RPD) base fabrication, promising improved mechanical properties, and biocompatibility. Materials and Methods: In this study, three different RPD base materials were evaluated: conventional heat-cured acrylic resin (Control), biocompatible 3D-printed resin (Test Group A), and a novel nanocomposite 3D-printed resin (Test Group B). A total of 30 standardized RPD base specimens (n = 10 per group) were fabricated according to established protocols. Microstructural analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the mechanical properties, including flexural strength and modulus, were determined using a universal testing machine. Results: Microstructural analysis revealed distinct differences among the materials. SEM images showed a well-defined and homogeneous microstructure in Test Group B, while Test Group A exhibited fewer voids compared to the Control group. Mechanical testing results indicated that Test Group B had the highest flexural strength (120 ± 5 MPa), followed by Test Group A (90 ± 4 MPa), and the Control group (75 ± 3 MPa). Similarly, Test Group B demonstrated the highest flexural modulus (3.5 ± 0.2 GPa), followed by Test Group A (2.8 ± 0.1 GPa), and the Control group (2.1 ± 0.1 GPa). Conclusion: These findings suggest that 3D-printed RPD base materials, particularly nanocomposite resins, hold promise for improving the overall quality and durability of removable partial dentures.

Design and preparation of an epoxy resin matrix composite structure with broadband wave-absorbing properties

Aiming at the poor effect of broadband wave-absorbing, the structural wave-absorbing composites structure were designed and prepared by choosing FeNi alloy powder/epoxy nanocomposites as the wave-absorbing interlayer, and carbon fibers/epoxy composites as the structural materials. Firstly, “80 wt% Fe50Ni50 alloy powder/epoxy resin nanocomposites” were successfully prepared, with a density of about 2.4 g/cm3, which can be applied as wave-absorbing interlayer. Then, electromagnetic parameters and loss mechanisms of the wave-absorbing sandwich in the frequency band of 1–18 GHz were studied in detail. Finally, the radar wave absorption characteristics of the structural wave-absorbing composites were optimized. The study shows that the electromagnetic loss mechanism of wave-absorbing sandwich is dominated by conductive loss and eddy current loss in the frequency range of 1–6 GHz, and eddy current loss, resonant loss and relaxation polarization in the frequency range of 6–18 GHz. In the frequency band of 2.5–8 GHz, the angular tangent of the magnetic loss of the interlayer is tanδm ≥ 0.5, and, the attenuation constant is stabilized in the range of 160–180 in the frequency band of 5.2–13.2 GHz, which shows that the interlayer has a good capacity of electromagnetic wave absorption. Different wave-absorbing properties can be designed by changing the thickness of the wave-absorbing interlayer. And the “fiberglass/interlayer/carbon fiber” composite board with a thickness of 2.0 mm interlayer and 3.0 mm-thick “fiberglass/ epoxy” has excellent broadband wave-absorbing properties. The sandwich composites have wave-absorbing peaks of |RL|≥10 dB in the frequency bands of 4.93–8.79 GHz and 14.96–18.0 GHz, with the peak width of 6.90 GHz, and the absorption peak of |RL|≥54 dB.

Functionalized montmorillonite/epoxy resin nanocomposites with enhanced thermal and mechanical properties.

The poor interaction between the hydrophilic montmorillonite and hydrophobic epoxy resins leads to agglomeration of montmorillonite within epoxy resins, which finally results in poor macro properties of the epoxy resin nanocomposites. Although silane modification can improve the hydrophobicity of montmorillonite surface, the hydrolysis and condensation of silane lead to locking effect in the interlayer structure of functionalized montmorillonite. The effect of the functionalized montmorillonite on the properties of the epoxy resin remains unclear. Herein, we present multi technique approach to thoroughly evaluate the macro properties of the montmorillonite/epoxy resin nanocomposites, including dynamic mechanical thermal, thermo-mechanical, dielectric, water absorption and subsequently evaluate the molecular factors governing these characteristics. Importantly, the storage modulus has been enhanced by 44%, from 2416 MPa for pure epoxy resin to 2416 MPa for nanocomposites with 5.0 wt% functionalized montmorillonite. Our analysis reveals the increase of thermal stability and glass-transition temperature, as well as a reduction of the coefficient of thermal expansion with the addition of functionalized montmorillonite. Additionally, functionalized montmorillonite leads to decreased water absorption. This research aims to offer guidance for the development of high-performance montmorillonite/polymer nanocomposites, potentially opening up new applications for montmorillonite in polymer nanocomposites.