Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites: The Influence of Interface Modification on the Dispersion Structure—A Small-Angle-X-ray-Scattering Study

Author(s)

Bernhard Feichtenschlager, Silvia Pabisch, Jakob Svehla, Herwig Peterlik, Muhammad Sajjad, Thomas Koch, Guido Kickelbick

Abstract

The surface functionalization of inorganic nanoparticles is an important tool for the production of homogeneous nanocomposites. The chemical adaptation of the nano-filler surface can lead to effective weak to strong interactions between the fillers and the organic matrix. Here we present a detailed systematic study of different surface-functionalized particles in combination with a SAXS method for the systematic investigation of the interface interaction in the development of epoxy nanocomposites. We investigated the effect of surface modification of spherical SiO₂ nanoparticles with 9 nm and 72 nm diameter and crystalline ZrO₂ nanoparticles with 22 nm diameter on the homogeneous distribution of the fillers in diethylenetriamine (DETA) cured bisphenol-F-diglycidylether epoxy resin nanocomposites. Unmodified nanoparticles were compared with surface-modified oxides having diethylene glycol monomethyl ethers (DEG), 1,2-diols, or epoxy groups attached to the surface. The influence of surface modification on dispersion quality was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) for inorganic filler contents of 3, 5 and 10 wt%. It was shown that the dispersion quality can be optimized by varying the coupling agent end group to obtain homogeneous and transparent nanomaterials. UV/VIS measurements confirmed the transparency/translucency of the obtained materials. The relationship between particle–matrix interaction and particle–particle interaction plays a decisive role in homogeneity and is controlled by the surface groups as well as by the type, size, and morphology of the nanoparticles themselves.

Organisation(s)

Dynamics of Condensed Systems

External organisation(s)

Technische Universität Wien, Universität des Saarlandes

Journal

Surfaces

Volume

3

Pages

664-682

No. of pages

19

ISSN

2571-9637

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces3040044

Publication date

12-2020

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

103020 Surface physics, 103018 Materials physics

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Chemistry (miscellaneous), Surfaces, Coatings and Films, Surfaces and Interfaces, Materials Science (miscellaneous)

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/ab63fc21-fbfd-4c15-b2e8-9249bc97f3f8