In situ solvothermal synthesis and characterization of transparent epoxy/TiO₂ nanocomposites

Abstract

A solvothermal process was developed to in situ prepare epoxy (EP)/TiO 2 hybrid precursors. The chemical structure of samples was confirmed by X-ray and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Field emission scanning electron microscope micrographs of cured EP/ TiO 2 hybrid composites showed that well-dispersed TiO 2 nanoparticles were successfully in situ formed in epoxy matrix through the solvothermal process. The thermogravimetic analysis, DSC, and gel content measurements showed that EP/TiO 2 hybrid precursors were fully cured with the glass transition temperature decreasing gradually. The effect of TiO 2 contents on optical and surface proper-ties was investigated in detail. The results indicated that epoxy/TiO 2 nanocomposites exhibited excellent UV shielding effect and high visible light transparency. The contact angle of EP/TiO 2 nanocomposites, when the content of silane-coupling agent (KH560) was 5 g and the content of tetrabutyl titanate (TBT) was 3 g, can reach as high as 101 , which was 36 higher than that of pure EP, representing for the increase of hydrophobicity.

Synthesis of silane functionalized sodium titanate nanotubes and their influence on thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposite

“…The observed properties of our nanocomposites were compared to epoxy/TiO 2 and epoxy/CNTs nanocomposites found in literature: some authors found improved T g , thermal stability and/or mechanical properties [39][40][41] while other report on a decrease in T g as well as thermal stability [42]. Multi wall CNT as well as TiO 2 decreased the T g , but the combination of titania and CNT into a hybrid structure reduces the decrease of T g [43].…”

Effects of different epoxidation methods of soybean oil on the characteristics of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil-co-poly(methyl methacrylate) copolymer

“…The copolymer sheets with the sample size of 1 % 2 % 0.2 cm were immersed in THF at room temperature for 4 days. The insoluble part was removed from the solvent and dried at 60°C until the weight was constant (W 2 ), after approximately 24 h. The gel content was calculated based on Equation (5) [57,58]: (5) 3. Results and discussion 3.…”

Effects of nanosilica and titanium oxide on the performance of epoxy–amine nanocoatings

“…They showed that 5.0 wt % TiO 2 nanoparticles were well dispersed in the epoxy matrix and showed better properties on UV absorption. Zhang et al . also showed that TiO 2 nanoparticles improved the UV‐absorption properties in composite coatings.…”