Βio-Based Epoxy/Amine Reinforced with Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) or GLYMO-rGO: Study of Curing Kinetics, Mechanical Properties, Lamination and Bonding Performance

Abstract

In this work, we report the synthesis and study of nanocomposites with a biobased epoxy/amine (Epilok 60-600G/Curamine 30-952) matrix reinforced with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) or functionalised with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GLYMO-rGO). These graphene related materials (GRMs) were first dispersed into a Curamine hardener using bath ultrasonication, followed by the addition of epoxy resin. Curing kinetics were studied by DSC under non-isothermal and isothermal conditions. The addition of 1.5 wt% of GLYMO-rGO into the epoxy matrix was found to increase the degree of cure by up to 12% and glass transition temperature by 14 °C. Mechanical testing showed that the addition of 0.05 wt% GLYMO-rGO improves Young’s modulus and tensile strength by 60% and 16%, respectively, compared to neat epoxy. Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates were prepared via hand lay up, using the nanocomposite system GRM/Epilok/Curamine as matrix, and were cut as CFRP adherents for lap shear joints. GRM/Epilok/Curamine was also used as adhesive to bond CFRP/CFRP and CFRP/aluminium adherents. The addition of 0.1 wt% GLYMO-rGO into the adhesive and CRFP adherents showed improved lap shear strength by 23.6% compared to neat resin, while in the case of CFRP/Aluminium joints the increase was 21.2%.

In situ exfoliation and surface functionalization of graphene oxide for epoxy composites with improved thermal and mechanical properties

“…Compared to the neat epoxy, the composite material exhibited a 75% improvement in tensile strength and a 13% increase in tensile modulus. The study on the functionalization of GO with 3-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane [19][20][21] showed that the attachment of epoxy rings effectively reduces the tendency of aggregation and enhances the compatibility of GO with epoxy composites.…”

Investigation on Nanocomposites of Polysulfone and Different Ratios of Graphene Oxide with Structural Defects Repaired by Cellulose Nanocrystals

“…Therefore, it has been extensively investigated and applied in various fields, including energy devices, drug delivery, catalysts, polymer composites, sensors, and electronic materials [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. As a result, there is an increasing consensus that graphene is an ideal nanofiller to reinforce polymer nanocomposites, owing to its abundant availability and exceptional functional performance [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Degradation of the Three-Phase Boundary Zone of Carbon Fiber Anodes in an Electrochemical System

“…In recent years, carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) have found extensive applications in military, aviation, sports, racing, wind power, and civil engineering due to their ultrahigh specific strength and modulus. 1 Consequently, the increased usage of CFRPs has led to a corresponding increase in waste production. If not fully recycled, Europe and Asia are estimated to accumulate 190,000 and 149,000 tons of waste CFRPs by 2050, respectively.…”