Size reduction of WO3 nanoparticles by ultrasound irradiation and its applications in structural nanocomposites

The porous WO3 (pore size 2-5 nm) nanoparticles were synthesized using a high intensity ultrasound irradiation of commercially available WO3 nanoparticles (80 nm) in ethanol. The high resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM) and X-ray studies indicated that the 2-5 nm uniform pores have been created in commercially available WO3 nanoparticles without much changing the initial WO3 nanoparticles (80 nm) sizes. The nanocomposites of WO3/SC-15 epoxy were prepared by infusion of 1 wt.%, 2 wt.% and 3 wt.% of porous WO3 nanoparticles into SC-15 epoxy resin by using a non-contact (Thinky) mixing technique. Finally the neat epoxy and nanocomposites were cured at room temperature for about 24 h in a plastic rectangular mold. The cured epoxy samples were removed and precisely cut into required dimensions and tested for their thermal and mechanical properties. The HRTEM and SEM studies indicated that the sonochemically modified porous WO3 nanoparticles dispersed more uniformly over the entire volume of the epoxy (without any settlement or agglomeration) as compared to the unmodified WO3/epoxy nanocomposites. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.