Nanostructured epoxy-rubber network modified with mwcnt and ionic liquid: Electrical, dynamic-mechanical, and adhesion properties

Nanostructured epoxy thermoset modified with isocyanate-modified polybutadiene (ER.PBNCO) was used to develop epoxy/carbon nanotube (CNT)- based nanocomposites. The covalent interaction between the functionalized rubber and the epoxy resin resulted in nanostructured material with outstanding thermo-mechanical and adhesion properties. The addition of multiwalled carbon nanotube commercially available as epoxy-based masterbatch contributed for an improvement of filler dispersion, as indicated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, without significantly influence on rheological behavior. An increase of the reinforcing effect and adhesion properties without compromising the stiffness and glass transition temperature was also observed, with the addition of as high as 1.5 phr of CNT. The addition of 1-butyl-3.methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (bmim.BF4) as the ionic liquid (IL) contributed for an improvement of electrical conductivity and a decreasing of adhesion properties and T-g. Both CNT and IL were able to accelerate the curing process of the epoxy matrix treated with polyetheramine. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E2584-E2594, 2018. (c) 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers