Solvent-Free One-Pot Synthesis of Epoxy Nanocomposites Containing Mg(OH)2 Nanocrystal-Nanoparticle Formation Mechanism

Epoxy nanocomposites containing Mg(OH)(2 )nanocrystals (MgNCs, 5.3 wt %) were produced via an eco-friendly solvent-free one-pot process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirm the presence of well-dispersed MgNCs. HRTEM reveals the presence also of multisheet-silica-based nanoparticles and a tendency of MgNCs to intergrow, leading to complex nanometric structures with an intersheet size of similar to 0.43nm, which is in agreement with the lattice spacing of the Mg(OH)(2) (001) planes. The synthesis of MgNCs was designed on the basis of a mechanism initially proposed for the preparation of multisheet-silica-based/epoxy nanocomposites. The successful in situ generation of MgNCs in the epoxy via a solvent-free one-pot process confirms the validity of the earlier disclosed mechanism and thus opens up possibilities of new NCs with different fillers and polymer matrix. The condition would be the availability of a nanoparticle precursor soluble in the hydrophobic resin, giving the desired phase through hydrolysis and polycondensation.

Automated summary

Epoxy nanocomposites containing Mg(OH)(2) nanocrystals were successfully synthesized using a solvent-free one-pot process, confirming the validity of the earlier proposed mechanism and opening up possibilities for new nanocomposites with different fillers and polymer matrix.