Study on the effects of interfacial interaction on the rheological and thermal performance of silica nanoparticles reinforced epoxy nanocomposites

Three kinds of silica nanoparticles with different surface functional groups (amino groups, epoxide groups, and alkyl chain groups) were prepared and used as fillers in the amine-cured epoxy resin systems to investigate the relationship between the interfacial interaction and the rheological and thermal properties of silica nanoparticles reinforced epoxy nanocomposites. It has been found that attractive interfacial interaction significantly contributed to reduce the viscosity and dramatically enhance the viscosity stability as well as reinforce the thermal stability of epoxy nanocomposites. While repulsive interfacial interaction had considerable negative effects on both of the viscosity and viscosity stability. Glass transition temperature of epoxy nanocomposites is closely related to the effects of the interfacial interaction on the curing process of bulk epoxy. This study may also shed lights on the choice of an optimum surface functional group for other inorganic fillers to improve the rheological properties and meanwhile keep good comprehensive thermal properties for epoxy nanocomposites. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.