Dispersing Nanoparticles by Chiral Liquid Crystalline Elastomers for Performance Enhancement of Epoxy Nanocomposites. Issue 10 (12th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shen, Yu; Cong, Yue‐Hua; Zhang, Bao‐Yan; Lang, Qing‐You; Hu, Bing
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular materials and engineering. Volume 303:Issue 10(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-08-12
• Subjects: Al2O3 -- dispersion -- liquid crystalline elastomers -- nanoparticles -- thermal conductivity -- toughness; Plastics -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.201800215
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1438-7492

Abstract

Abstract: Epoxy nanocomposites with novel chiral side‐chain liquid crystalline elastomers (CSLCE) as dispersant grafted alumina (Al2 O3 ) nanoparticles are prepared. The CSLCE are grafted onto the surface of Al2 O3 by esterification, improving the dispersion of Al2 O3 in organics. The side chain of CSLCE is composed of M1 containing a chiral mesogenic unit, a liquid crystal cross‐linking agent M2 containing a nematic mesogenic unit, and M3 containing carboxyl groups, which is because the structures can determine the characteristics of polymers. Optical rotation emerges via chiral mesogenic units in CSLCE, and the liquid crystal cross‐linking agent in the side chain causes the polymer to be linked into chains. The fracture toughness and thermal conductivity of Al2 O3 ‐CSLCE/epoxy nanocomposites are significantly improved due to the good dispersion of Al2 O3 nanoparticles in the epoxy and the synergistic interaction between Al2 O3 and CSLCE. Meanwhile, the glass transition temperatures and thermal stability are enhanced. Abstract : Chiral side‐chain liquid crystalline elastomers with terminal carboxyl groups are designed to graft on the surfaces of Al2 O3 nanoparticles by esterification. This method can effectively disperse nanoparticles in the epoxy matrix and greatly enhance the fracture toughness and thermal conductivity of epoxy nanocomposites, providing an effective approach for the application of nanoparticles in polymers.