Synthesis of Reactive Organifier for the Epoxy/layered Silicate Nanocomposite and the Properties of the Epoxy Nanocomposites

Reactive organifiers with hydroxyl end-group or amine end-group and with relatively high molecular weight were synthesized. The d-spacing of the organoclays prepared varied from 1.37 nm to 1.98 nm. To disperse nanoparticles into the epoxy matrix resin more efficiently, the sonication cavitation technique was applied. The epoxy/layered silicate nanocomposites were fabricated by in situ polymerization using the autoclave curing process. The epoxy resin was based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA type) and diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS). The epoxy/layered silicate nanocomposites formed exfoliated and intercalated structure with some disorder. The thermal stability, tensile properties, fracture toughness were significantly increased with increasing the dispersibility of the organoclay. The critical stress intensity factor(KIC) of 3wt% OC J230 (organoclay with reactive amine end group) was 2.78 times higher than that of the neat epoxy specimen.