Influence of graphene nanoplatelets on curing and mechanical properties of graphene/epoxy nanocomposites

The influence of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the curing of an epoxy resin based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and cross-linked with 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) was studied. Dynamic mechanical properties and tensile properties of the corresponding graphene/epoxy nanocomposites were obtained. Two compositions 1 and 5 mass% of GNPs were studied. The cross-linking reaction of the epoxy resin is accelerated in dispersions with 5 mass% GNPs. In the presence of GNPs, the curing reaction becomes less exothermic, obtaining less perfect epoxy networks compared to neat epoxy (DGEBA-DDM) thermoset. Accordingly, the glass transition temperatures (T (g)) of the nanocomposites are lower than that of the neat epoxy thermoset. This effect is not detected for low content of graphene (1 mass%). Protocol of curing having two isothermal steps leads to more perfect networks than the dynamic curing in the DSC. The T (g) reduction is minimized in the samples cured through two isothermal steps. The storage moduli of the nanocomposite containing 5 mass% graphene, both in the glassy (T < T (g)) and the rubbery (T > T (g)) states, are higher than the ones of neat epoxy thermoset, being most pronounced this effect at T > T (g). Tensile tests confirmed the higher elastic moduli of the nanocomposites; however, a decrease in strain at break and tensile strength was observed for the nanocomposite containing 5 mass% of GNPs. This brittle behavior is consistent with the morphology of the samples studied by scanning electron microscopy.