Effect of functionalization of graphene nanoplatelets on the mechanical response of graphene/epoxy composites

This study introduces a new strategy for functionalizing graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) by bonding a silane agent to its structure. In order to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed method, epoxy resin specimens reinforced with silane modified GNPs (G-Si) are prepared at different weight contents of nanoparticles along with three other types of GNPs (unmodified GNP, graphene oxide GNP [GO], and amino functionalized GNP [G-NH2]). The nanocomposites' mechanical properties, such as the elastic modulus, ultimate strength, modulus of toughness and fracture toughness are evaluated and compared for different types of functionalization. Raman spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are employed to characterize the chemical and structural changes of the functionalized GNPs. The results show that nanocomposites containing G-Si and G-NH2 provide the best results for most of the mentioned properties. The functionalization of GNPs gives the most promising results for fracture toughness of epoxy, showing an 82% increase, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs and XRD analysis reveal that an improved dispersion status is obtained by GNP functionalization. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.