Rapid Preparation of MWCNTs/Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites by Photoinduced Frontal Polymerization

• Published in: Materials Vol. 13; no. 24; p. 5838
• Main Authors: Hu, Guofeng, Fu, Wanli, Ma, Yumin, Zhou, Jianping, Liang, Hongbo, Kang, Xinmei, Qi, Xiaolin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 21.12.2020; MDPI
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Carbon; carbon nanotubes; Carbon-epoxy composites; Carboxylation; Composite materials; epoxy resin; Epoxy resins; Fourier transforms; frontal polymerization; Glass transition temperature; Impact resistance; Impact strength; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; nanocomposite; Nanocomposites; Organic chemicals; Polymerization; properties; Spectrum analysis; Thermal resistance; Thermodynamic properties; Thermogravimetric analysis; Beijing China; United States > US; China; Germany; nanocomposite; epoxy resin; carbon nanotubes; frontal polymerization; properties
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma13245838

Due to their excellent mechanical and thermal properties and medium resistance, epoxy/carbon nanotubes and nanocomposites have been widely used in many fields. However, the conventional thermosetting process is not only time- and energy-consuming, but also causes the agglomeration of nanofillers, which leads to unsatisfactory properties of the obtained composites. In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/epoxy nanocomposites were prepared using UV photoinduced frontal polymerization (PIFP) in a rapid fashion. The addition of MWCNTs modified by a surface carboxylation reaction was found to enhance the impact strength and heat resistance of the epoxy matrix effectively. The experimental results indicate that with 0.4 wt % loading of modified MWCNTs, increases of 462.23% in the impact strength and 57.3 °C in the glass transition temperature were achieved. A high-performance nanocomposite was prepared in only a few minutes using the PIFP approach. Considering its fast, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly production, the PIFP approach displays considerable potential in the field of the fast preparation, repair, and deep curing of nanocomposites and coatings.