Preparation and Properties of Rectorite/Epoxy Nanocomposites

Abstract

The Org-rectorite, which was used as a filler in the Rectorite/Epoxy nanocomposites, was prepared by the intercalation and exfoliation of rectorite with dodecyl-bis (2-hydroxyethyl)-methylazanium chloride as the organic cation exchange agent. The two curing agents methyl hexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA) and m-phenylenediamine were employed at working temperature ranging from 70 °C to 190 °C. The samples were characterized by Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis. The results show that the d 001 (55.9 Å) of Rectorite/Epoxy composites cured with MHHPA at 70 °C was larger than the Org-rectorite (28.7 Å), and the Org-rectorite was exfoliated at 90 °C working temperature. While the d 001 of Rectorite/Epoxy composites cured with m-phenylenediamine at 70 °C and 90 °C were 40.9 Å and 42.1 Å , and were exfoliated at 140 °C. The apparent activation energy (Ea) of Rectorite/Epoxy composites cured with MHHPA and m-phenylenediamine were obtained to be 74.85 and 59.15 KJ/mol, respectively. The higher apparent activation energy (Ea) of MHHPA systems may be responsible for the lower exfoliation temperature.