High-performance epoxy nanocomposites via constructing a rigid-flexible interface with graphene oxide functionalized by polyetheramine and f-SiO2

Graphene oxide (GO) is an ideal reinforcement for improving mechanical properties of epoxy (EP) and reducing its coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). However, the poor interfacial interaction between GO and polymer matrix seriously hinders the reinforcing effect of GO. To improve their interface, we first functionalized GO with flexible polyetheramine (PEA) and f-SiO2 rigid nanoparticles, obtaining PEA-GO and SiO2-PEA-GO hybrids, respectively. Then the PEA-GO and SiO2-PEA-GO were incorporated into EP to obtain nanocomposites with flexible interphases and rigid-flexible interphases, respectively. The interfaces were tuned by two PEA molecules (D230 and D2000) with different chain lengths. The effects of the different interface structures on the mechanical properties and CTE of the GO/EP nanocomposites with a 0.25 wt% filler loading were investigated. It was found that the effects of SiO2-PEA-GO on strengthening and toughening EP matrix and on reducing its CTE were much better than those of PEA-GO, because the rigid-flexible interfaces provided higher bonding strength and better energy dissipation mechanisms than the flexible interfaces. Moreover, the D230-GO/EP nanocomposite con-taining shorter PEA (D230) molecules exhibited higher strength but lower toughness and CTE than the D2000-GO/EP nanocomposite. However, the SiO2-D2000-GO/EP nanocomposite showed greater strength, toughness and CTE than the SiO2-D230-GO/EP nanocomposite. This indicated that the longer PEA molecules in rigid -flexible interphases produced higher improvement in strength and toughness but smaller decreases in CTE. This work provides a promising strategy of constructing an adjustable flexible-rigid interfacial structure and opens an avenue for developing GO/EP nanocomposites with high mechanical properties and low CTE.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the improvement of mechanical properties and reduction of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in graphene oxide (GO)/epoxy (EP) nanocomposites by enhancing the interface between GO and EP through functionalization and incorporating rigid-flexible interphases. The results reveal that the SiO2-PEA-GO hybrid exhibits better strengthening and toughening effects, as well as lower CTE, compared to the PEA-GO hybrid due to the presence of rigid-flexible interfaces with higher bonding strength and better energy dissipation mechanisms. Additionally, the nanocomposites with longer polyetheramine (PEA) molecules in the rigid-flexible interphases demonstrate higher strength and toughness, while maintaining a lower CTE. This work provides a promising strategy for constructing adjustable flexible-rigid interfacial structures and offers potential in developing GO/EP nanocomposites with high mechanical properties and low CTE.