Preparation, Characterization, Thermal, and Flame-Retardant Properties of Green Silicon-Containing Epoxy/Functionalized Graphene Nanosheets Composites. (8th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shen, Ming-Yuan; Kuan, Chen-Feng; Kuan, Hsu-Chiang; Chen, Chia-Hsun; Wang, Jia-Hong; Yip, Ming-Chuen; Chiang, Chin-Lung
• Other Names: Brosseau Christian Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of nanomaterials. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-04-08
• Subjects: Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanomatériaux; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Nanostructures; Nanotechnology; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 620.115
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/747963
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-4110

Abstract

Abstract : In this investigation, silane was grafted onto the surface of graphene nanosheets (GNSs) through free radical reactions, to form Si-O-Et functional groups that can undergo the sol-gel reaction. To improve the compatibility between the polymer matrix and the fillers, epoxy monomer was modified using a silane coupling agent; then, the functionalized GNSs were added to the modified epoxy to improve the thermal stability and strengthen the flame-retardant character of the composites. High-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectrometry reveals that when the double bonds in VTES are grafted to the surfaces of GNSs. Solid-state 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance presents that the distribution of the signal associated with the T 3 structure is wide and significant, indicating that the functionalization reaction of the silicone in the modified epoxy and VTES-GNSs increases the network-like character of the structures. Thermal gravimetric analysis, the integral procedure decomposition temperature, and limiting oxygen index demonstrate that the GNSs composites that contained silicon had a higher thermal stability and stronger flame-retardant character than pure epoxy. The dynamic storage modulus of all of the m-GNSs containing composites was significantly higher than that of the control epoxy, and the modulus of the composites increased with the concentration of m-GNSs.