Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The effect of core–shell particles on the mechanical performance of epoxy resins modified with hyperbranched polymers

  • Articles
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A novel core–shell particle that consists of epoxide-terminated hyperbranched polymer (HBP) and silica nanoparticles was incorporated into an epoxy/hydroxyl-terminated HBP blend to fabricate a high-performance epoxy thermoset. The effect of the core–shell particle content on the mechanical properties of the epoxy thermosets was investigated in detail. Results from tensile, flexural, and impact tests are provided. The impact fracture surface was studied by field emission-scanning electron microscopy. The incorporation of 2 wt% core–shell particles improved the tensile strength, percent elongation at break, flexural strength, and impact resistance of epoxy/hydroxyl-terminated HBP thermosets. Field emission-scanning electron micrographs showed that core–shell particle addition resulted in large-scale shear deformation and debonding from the epoxy matrix, and improved the epoxy resin toughness.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

SCHEME 1
FIG. 1
FIG. 2
FIG. 3
FIG. 4
FIG. 5
FIG. 6
FIG. 7
FIG. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A.A. Azeez, K.Y. Rhee, S.J. Park, and D. Hui: Epoxy clay nanocomposites—Processing, properties and applications: A review. Composites, Part B 45 (1), 308–320 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. S. Zaioncz, A.A. Silva, A.S. Sirqueira, and B.G. Soares: Toughening of epoxy resin by methyl methacrylate/2-ethylhexyl acrylate copolymers: The effect of copolymer composition. Macromol. Mater. Eng. 292 (12), 1263–1270 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. M. DeCarli, K. Kozielski, W. Tian, and R. Varley: Toughening of a carbon fibre reinforced epoxy anhydride composite using an epoxy terminated hyperbranched modifier. Compos. Sci. Technol. 65 (14), 2156–2166 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. N. Domun, H. Hadavinia, T. Zhang, T. Sainsbury, G.H. Liaghat, and S. Vahid: Improving the fracture toughness and the strength of epoxy using nanomaterials—A review of the current status. Nanoscale 7 (23), 10294–10329 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. S. Kar and A.K. Banthia: Synthesis and evaluation of liquid amine-terminated polybutadiene rubber and its role in epoxy toughening. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 96 (6), 2446–2453 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. L-C. Tang, X. Wang, Y-J. Wan, L-B. Wu, J-X. Jiang, and G-Q. Lai: Mechanical properties and fracture behaviors of epoxy composites with multi-scale rubber particles. Mater. Chem. Phys. 141 (1), 333–342 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. P. Hazot, C. Pichot, and A. Maazouz: Synthesis of hairy acrylic core–shell particles as toughening agents for epoxy networks. Macromol. Chem. Phys. 201 (6), 632–641 (2000).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. S. Sprenger, M.H. Kothmann, and V. Altstaedt: Carbon fiber-reinforced composites using an epoxy resin matrix modified with reactive liquid rubber and silica nanoparticles. Compos. Sci. Technol. 105, 86–95 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. A. Dorigato, A. Pegoretti, and M. Quaresimin: Thermo-mechanical characterization of epoxy/clay nanocomposites as matrices for carbon/nanoclay/epoxy laminates. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 528 (19–20), 6324–6333 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. M. Crespo, M. González, and J. Pozuelo: Magnetic silica:epoxy composites with a nano- and micro-scale control. Mater. Chem. Phys. 144 (3), 335–342 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. A.J. Kinloch, K. Masania, A.C. Taylor, S. Sprenger, and D. Egan: The fracture of glass-fibre-reinforced epoxy composites using nanoparticle-modified matrices. J. Mater. Sci. 43 (3), 1151–1154 (2008).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. D.J. Bray, P. Dittanet, F.J. Guild, A.J. Kinloch, K. Masania, R.A. Pearson, and A.C. Taylor: The modelling of the toughening of epoxy polymers via silica nanoparticles: The effects of volume fraction and particle size. Polymer 54 (26), 7022–7032 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. B.R.K. Blackman, A.J. Kinloch, J.S. Lee, A.C. Taylor, R. Agarwal, G. Schueneman, and S. Sprenger: The fracture and fatigue behaviour of nano-modified epoxy polymers. J. Mater. Sci. 42 (16), 7049–7051 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. S.O. Ilyin, T.V. Brantseva, I.Y. Gorbunova, S.V. Antonov, Y.M. Korolev, and M.L. Kerber: Epoxy reinforcement with silicate particles: Rheological and adhesive properties—Part I: Characterization of composites with natural and organically modified montmorillonites. Int. J. Adhes. Adhes. 61, 127–136 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. A. Pan and L. He: Formation and properties of core–shell pentablock copolymer/silica hybrids. Mater. Chem. Phys. 147 (1–2), 5–10 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Z. Zeng, J. Yu, and Z-X. Guo: Preparation of epoxy-functionalized polystyrene/silica core–shell composite nanoparticles. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 42 (9), 2253–2262 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. A.J. Kinloch, R.D. Mohammed, A.C. Taylor, C. Eger, S. Sprenger, and D. Egan: The effect of silica nano particles and rubber particles on the toughness of multiphase thermosetting epoxy polymers. J. Mater. Sci. 40 (18), 5083–5086 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. J. Gao, J. Li, S. Zhao, B.C. Benicewicz, H. Hillborg, and L.S. Schadler: Effect of graft density and molecular weight on mechanical properties of rubbery block copolymer grafted SiO2 nanoparticle toughened epoxy. Polymer 54 (15), 3961–3973 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. S.P. Sharma and S.C. Lakkad: Impact behavior and fractographic study of carbon nanotubes grafted carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix multi-scale hybrid composites. Composites, Part A 69, 124–131 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. H. Im and J. Kim: Thermal conductivity of a graphene oxide-carbon nanotube hybrid/epoxy composite. Carbon 50 (15), 5429–5440 (2012).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. T. Jiang, T. Kuila, N.H. Kim, B-C. Ku, and J.H. Lee: Enhanced mechanical properties of silanized silica nanoparticle attached graphene oxide/epoxy composites. Compos. Sci. Technol. 79, 115–125 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. X. Jia, B. Liu, L. Huang, D. Hui, and X. Yang: Numerical analysis of synergistic reinforcing effect of silica nanoparticle–MWCNT hybrid on epoxy-based composites. Composites, Part B 54, 133–137 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. W. Li, D. He, and J. Bai: The influence of nano/micro hybrid structure on the mechanical and self-sensing properties of carbon nanotube-microparticle reinforced epoxy matrix composite. Composites, Part A 54, 28–36 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. T. Ahmad, R. Ahmad, M. Kamran, B. Wahjoedi, I. Shakoor, F. Hussain, F. Riaz, Z. Jamil, S. Isaac, and Q. Ashraf: Effect of Thal silica sand nanoparticles and glass fiber reinforcements on epoxy-based hybrid composite. Iran. Polym. J. 24 (1), 21–27 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. D. Quan and A. Ivankovic: Effect of core–shell rubber (CSR) nano-particles on mechanical properties and fracture toughness of an epoxy polymer. Polymer 66, 16–28 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. J. Chen, A.J. Kinloch, S. Sprenger, and A.C. Taylor: The mechanical properties and toughening mechanisms of an epoxy polymer modified with polysiloxane-based core–shell particles. Polymer 54 (16), 4276–4289 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. M. Naguib, S. Grassini, and M. Sangermano: Core/shell PBA/PMMA–PGMA nanoparticles to enhance the impact resistance of UV-cured epoxy systems. Macromol. Mater. Eng. 298 (1), 106–112 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Y. Meng, X-H. Zhang, B-Y. Du, B-X. Zhou, X. Zhou, and G-R. Qi: Thermosets with core–shell nanodomain by incorporation of core crosslinked star polymer into epoxy resin. Polymer 52 (2), 391–399 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. D. Quan and A. Ivankovic: Effect of core–shell rubber (CSR) nano-particles on mechanical properties and fracture toughness of an epoxy polymer. Polymer 66, 16–28 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Z. Su, B. Yu, X. Jiang, and J. Yin: Hybrid core–shell microspheres from coassembly of anthracene-containing POSS (POSS-AN) and anthracene-ended hyperbranched poly(ether amine) (hPEA-AN) and their responsive polymeric hollow microspheres. Macromolecules 46 (9), 3519–3528 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. P. Yang, L.Y. Zhu, X. Xia, H.T. Wang, Q.G. Du, and W. Zhong: Toughening of epoxy resin with poly(methyl methacrylate) grafted silica core–shell particles. e-Polym. 11, 710–721 (2011).

    Google Scholar 

  32. S. Thakur and N. Karak: Ultratough, ductile, castor oil-based, hyperbranched, polyurethane nanocomposite using functionalized reduced graphene oxide. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2 (5), 1195–1202 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. L. Pan, S. Lu, X. Xiao, Z. He, C. Zeng, J. Gao, and J. Yu: Enhanced mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy with hyperbranched polyester grafted perylene diimide. RSC Adv. 5 (5), 3177–3186 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. A. Tomuta, F. Ferrando, À. Serra, and X. Ramis: New aromatic–aliphatic hyperbranched polyesters with vinylic end groups of different length as modifiers of epoxy/anhydride thermosets. React. Funct. Polym. 72 (9), 556–563 (2012).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. S. Allauddin, M.K. Akhil Chandran, K.K. Jena, R. Narayan, and K.V.S.N. Raju: Synthesis and characterization of APTMS/melamine cured hyperbranched polyester-epoxy hybrid coatings. Prog. Org. Coat. 76 (10), 1402–1412 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. S. Li, C. Cui, H. Hou, Q. Wu, and S. Zhang: The effect of hyperbranched polyester and zirconium slag nanoparticles on the impact resistance of epoxy resin thermosets. Composites, Part B 79, 342–350 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. S. Li, C. Cui, and H. Hou: Synthesis of core–shell particles based on hyperbranced polyester and zirconium slag nanoparticles and its influence on the impact resistance of epoxy resin thermosets. Polym. Compos. (2015). doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.23602.

  38. S. Li, Q. Lin, H. Zhu, H. Hou, Y. Li, Q. Wu, and C. Cui: Improved mechanical properties of epoxy-based composites with hyperbranched polymer grafting glass-fiber. Polym. Adv. Technol. (2016). doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.3746.

  39. X. Huang, M.S. Heo, J-W. Yoo, J-S. Choi, and I. Kim: Hyperbranched aliphatic polyether esters by ring-opening polymerization of epoxidized 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 52 (12), 1643–1651 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Y. Zhang, D. Zhang, C. Qin, and J. Xu: Physical and mechanical properties of dental nanocomposites composed of aliphatic epoxy resin and epoxidized aromatic hyperbranched polymers. Polym. Compos. 30 (2), 176–181 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. J. Yu, X. Huang, C. Wu, X. Wu, G. Wang, and P. Jiang: Interfacial modification of boron nitride nanoplatelets for epoxy composites with improved thermal properties. Polymer 53 (2), 471–480 (2012).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. L. Xie, X. Huang, Y. Huang, K. Yang, and P. Jiang: Core–shell structured hyperbranched aromatic polyamide/BaTiO3 hybrid filler for poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene) nanocomposites with the dielectric constant comparable to that of percolative composites. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 5 (5), 1747–1756 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. R. Qian, J. Yu, L. Xie, Y. Li, and P. Jiang: Efficient thermal properties enhancement to hyperbranched aromatic polyamide grafted aluminum nitride in epoxy composites. Polym. Adv. Technol. 24 (3), 348–356 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. S. Lv, Y. Yuan, and W. Shi: Strengthening and toughening effects of layered double hydroxide and hyperbranched polymer on epoxy resin. Prog. Org. Coat. 65 (4), 425–430 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. R.P. Wang, T. Schuman, R.R. Vuppalapati, and K. Chandrashekhara: Fabrication of bio-based epoxy–clay nanocomposites. Green Chem. 16 (4), 1871–1882 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. B. Qi, Q.X. Zhang, M. Bannister, and Y.W. Mai: Investigation of the mechanical properties of DGEBA-based epoxy resin with nanoclay additives. Compos. Struct. 75 (1–4), 514–519 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. X. Wang, K. Xiao, L. Ye, Y-W. Mai, C.H. Wang, and L.R.F. Rose: Modelling mechanical properties of core–shell rubber-modified epoxies. Acta Mater. 48 (2), 579–586 (2000).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. V.K. Srivastava: Modeling and mechanical performance of carbon nanotube/epoxy resin composites. Mater. Des. 39, 432–436 (2012).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. J. Zhang and D. Jiang: Interconnected multi-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced polymer–matrix composites. Compos. Sci. Technol. 71 (4), 466–470 (2011).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. W. Thitsartarn, X. Fan, Y. Sun, J.C.C. Yeo, D. Yuan, and C. He: Simultaneous enhancement of strength and toughness of epoxy using POSS–rubber core–shell nanoparticles. Compos. Sci. Technol. 118, 63–71 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. G.G. Buonocore, L. Schiavo, I. Attianese, and A. Borriello: Hyperbranched polymers as modifiers of epoxy adhesives. Composites, Part B 53, 187–192 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors gratefully acknowledge supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51402251, 51578289, 51572234 and 51502259), the National Science and Technology Major Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2012ZX04010032), the joint research fund between Collaborative Innovation Center for Ecological Building Materials and Environmental Protection Equipments and Key Laboratory for Advanced Technology in Environmental Protection of Jiangsu Province (CP201506 and GX2015107), the project funded by the Flagship Major Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PPZY2015A025), and the Natural science fund of Jiangsu Province (BK20130428).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Jiangsu Yancheng, 224051, People’s Republic of China

    Shuiping Li

  2. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Jiangsu Nanjing, 210094, People’s Republic of China

    Shuiping Li & Chong Cui

  3. School of Materials Engineering, Jinling Institute of Technology, Jiangsu Nanjing, 211169, People’s Republic of China

    Qing Lin

Authors
  1. Shuiping Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Qing Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Chong Cui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chong Cui.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, S., Lin, Q. & Cui, C. The effect of core–shell particles on the mechanical performance of epoxy resins modified with hyperbranched polymers. Journal of Materials Research 31, 1393–1402 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2016.174

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2016.174

Search

Navigation