Diels-Alder based epoxy matrix and interfacial healing of bismaleimide grafted GNP infused hybrid nanocomposites

In this work, we report matrix and interfacial healing capabilities for hybrid DA-based polymer nanocomposites. Thermo-reversible self-healing nanocomposites were prepared by reinforcing bismaleimide grafted graphite nanoplatelets (B-GNPs) in a DA-based hybrid polymer matrix (HPM). The maleimide functional moieties were found grafted on B-GNPs that form globular networked structures on the nanoplatelets. Data from the TG-DSC revealed increased exothermic peaks corresponding to DA and retro-DA bond formation due to the incorporation of B-GNPs in HPM. This indicates the formation of DA bonds proficient enough to establish self-healing at the interfaces of B-GNPs and HPM. We also found that incorporation of B-GNPs in HPM having 40 wt% irreversible epoxy resin (DA40) has the potential to uplift the mechanical stability along with self-healing efficiency demonstrating successful interfacial healing. The resulting B-GNPs reinforced nanocomposites of DA40 showed maximum healing efficiency of similar to 87% with multiple times healing capability. The tensile strength and modulus were also significantly increased by similar to 242% and similar to 41% in comparison to pristine DA40. This study espouses the potential use of B-GNPs for multiple interfacial healing along with matrix healing of hybrid polymer nanocomposites.