Influence of graphene functionalization on the curing kinetics, dynamical mechanical properties and morphology of epoxy nanocomposites

Bandeira de Souza Z.S.; Araujo do Nascimento P.L.; Samara M.; David E.; Macedo Fechine G.J.; Alves da Motta Sobrinho M.; Demarquette N.R.

Influence of graphene functionalization on the curing kinetics, dynamical mechanical properties and morphology of epoxy nanocomposites

Tipo

Artigo

Data de publicação

2025

Periódico

Polymer

Citações (Scopus)

0

Autores

Bandeira de Souza Z.S.
Araujo do Nascimento P.L.
Samara M.
David E.
Macedo Fechine G.J.
Alves da Motta Sobrinho M.
Demarquette N.R.

Resumo

© 2025 The AuthorsThe properties of graphene have made it a promising material for the development of polymer nanocomposites, and graphene functionalization has gained popularity due to its ability to improve dispersion between the phases. For thermosetting matrices, nanomaterials can affect curing, and rheological studies provide crucial information about this process. This study was undertaken to investigate the impact of graphene functionalization on the curing kinetics and morphology of epoxy nanocomposites. For that, graphene (G), graphene functionalized with surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (G-SDS), graphene oxide (GO), and graphene oxide functionalized with amine groups (GON) were used as nanofillers. Rheological studies showed that the addition of graphene to the resin resulted in a slower curing reaction in comparison to the neat epoxy at temperatures of 60 and 70 °C. G-SDS did not affect the curing kinetics of the epoxy resin, while the addition of GO and GON to the resin accelerated the curing kinetics and reduced the reaction activation energy. The most significant improvements were observed for GON, with a reduction in gelation time at 60 °C from approximately 40 min to 17 min, and at 80 °C from 11 min to 6 min, compared to the neat epoxy. The functionalization also resulted in a significant increase in the dynamic storage (E′) and loss (E″) moduli, indicating that functionalization of graphene enhances its interfacial interaction with the epoxy matrix. Specifically, GON yielded a 70 % increase in E′ and a 28 % increase in E″ compared to the neat epoxy.

Assuntos Scopus

Curing kinetics , Curing reactions , Dynamical mechanical properties , Epoxy , Epoxy nanocomposites , Functionalizations , Functionalized , Graphene oxides , Graphenes , Rheological studies