Effect of the epoxycyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane content on the dynamic fragility of an epoxy resin

• Published in: Journal of non-crystalline solids Vol. 358; no. 2; pp. 427 - 432
• Main Authors: Ornaghi, Heitor Luiz, Pistor, Vinicios, Zattera, Ademir José
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 15.01.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Angell fragility; Applied sciences; Composites; Differential scanning calorimetry; Dynamics; Exact sciences and technology; Focusing; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fragility; Mechanical analysis; Molecular movement; Nanocomposites; Nanostructure; Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane; Polymer industry, paints, wood; POSS; Technology of polymers; Viscoelasticity; Viscoelasticity; Molecular movement; POSS; Angell fragility; Differential scanning calorimetry; Volume fraction; Silsesquioxane polymer; Nanoparticle; Fragility index; Dispersion reinforced material; Dynamic mechanical analysis; Glass formation; Glass transition; Bisphenol A; Nanocomposite
• ISSN: 0022-3093; 1873-4812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2011.10.014

This study aims to evaluate the performance of epoxy/epoxycyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposites focusing on differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis. Nanocomposites with distinct nanoreinforcement contents (1, 2 and 5wt.%) were studied. Using differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analyses it was possible to assess some properties based on well-established concepts and correlate them with the structure formed. It was observed that the glass transition temperature decreases following the incorporation of epoxycyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, indicating, in principle, that there is more mobility in the new system formed. However, other calculated parameters (cooperative rearrangement region, Angell fragility and Kauzmann temperature) showed no trend as a result of epoxycyclohexyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane incorporation. ► We studied the incorporation of epoxyciclohexyl-POSS content in the dynamic fragility of an epoxy resin. ► We compared some results obtained from DSC and DMA analyses. ► Increasing the POSS content noted changes in the values collected from DSC analysis. ► The changes in the DMA analysis were similar for all POSS samples. ► The models applied for the nanocomposites showed, partially, agreement with literature.