Charge Interaction Effects in Epoxy with Cation Exchanged Montmorillonite Clay and Carbon Nanotubes.

The influence of charge heterogeneity in nanoparticles such as montmorillonite layered silicates (MLS) and hybrid systems of MLS + carbon nanotubes was investigated in cured and uncured epoxy. Epoxy nanocomposites made with cation-exchanged montmorillonite clay were found to form agglomerates near a critical concentration. Using differential scanning calorimetry it was determined that the mixing temperature of the epoxy + MLS mixture prior to the addition of the curing agent critically influenced the formation of the agglomerate. Cured epoxy samples showed evidence of the agglomerate being residual charge driven by maxima and minima in the concentration profiles of thermal conductivity and dielectric permittivity respectively. A hybrid nanocomposite of MLS and aniline functionalized multi walled nanotubes indicated no agglomerates. The influence of environmentally and process driven properties on the nanocomposites was investigated by examination of moisture, ultrasound, microwaves and mechanical fatigue on the properties of the hybrid systems. The results point to the importance of charge screening by adsorbed or reacted water and on nanoparticulates.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2005

Author dc:creator

• Butzloff, Peter Robert

Contributors dc:contributor

• D'Souza, Nandika Anne, 1967-
• Reidy, Richard
• Brostow, Witold, 1934-
• Bouanani, Mohamed El
• Kaufman, Michael

• Epoxy compounds.
• Composite materials.
• Montmorillonite.
• Nanotubes.
• montmorillonite layered silicates
• montmorillonite clay
• carbon nanotubes
• charge effects

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Butzloff, Peter Robert
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 61850682
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4786/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc4786

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc4786