Chemical Treatment of Silica Nanoparticles by Diethanolamine and gamma-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and Application of Modified Nanoparticles in Epoxy-Based Composites

In order to prepare silica nanoparticles that are more compatible with epoxy resin's media, nano SiO2 was reacted with gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane as a coupling agent in addition with diethanolamine. Formation of modified nano particles provided better dispersion condition in the epoxy-based nanocomposite. Thermal and mechanical characteristics of epoxy nanocomposites were investigated by several methods. A dramatic improvement was observed. Scanning electron microscope was applied to study the microscopic condition of nanocomposites in break surfaces.