Shape and size effects of ceria nanoparticles on the impact strength of ceria/epoxy resin composites

Ceria nanoparticles with various shapes (rods, cubes, and plates) and sizes were controllably synthesized and then introduced into epoxy resin. Subsequently, we investigated correlations between the shape and size of ceria nanostructures and the mechanical performance of composites. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Compared with commercial ceria filled composites, the composites made with morphology-controlled ceria nanostructures show a higher impact strength. It is found that epoxy resins made with high-aspect-ratio ceria nanorods show the highest impact strength, up to 17.27 kJ/m(2), which is about four times that of the neat epoxy resin. (C) 2010 Chinese Society of Particuology and Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.