Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Akanni, Owolabi

Titel

Role of Nanoparticles and Dispersion Techniques to Modulate Photo-Degradation and Physico-Chemical Properties of Polymeric Composites

Ort / Verlag

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

Erscheinungsjahr

2023

Link zum Volltext

• ProQuest

Quelle

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• To maximize the benefits of nanofillers in an epoxy matrix, the nanofiller must be uniformly dispersed throughout the composite. This study investigated the effects of tip and bath sonication on the chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of halloysite nanotube (HNT) filled epoxy nanocomposites. It further investigates the effect of two planar nanofillers on epoxy polymer, namely the inorganic MMT filler and the organic GNP nanofiller. The investigation was also performed to determine the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the surface morphology of the nanofilled epoxy samples, and the physico-chemical properties of HNT, GNP, and MMT filled epoxy nanocomposite. In a simulated weathering chamber at 60 °C, epoxy nanohybrids were exposed to 50, 300, 600, and 1000 hours of UV radiation. The results indicate that both sonication techniques benefit composites in terms of breaking down nanoparticle agglomerates. Tip sonication provided a more uniform dispersion than those produced by bath sonication as a result of direct contact with the sample. The glass transition temperatures of epoxy/HNT nanocomposites produced by tip sonication are lower than the bath sonication samples. In addition, the tip-sonicated samples exhibited fewer surface cracks compared to the bath sonication samples. For the GNP and MMT study, SEM showed that the GNP filled nanocomposites slightly performed better than the MMT ones. The glass transition temperature of the GNP and MMT study for different UV degradation hours were similar for the two nanofillers considered. This study helps to explain how sonication methods can contribute to HNT dispersion in nanocomposites, as well as the role of sonication in the photostability of nanocomposites. It also showed that GNP and MMT can be used as substitute nanofillers for epoxy synthesis.