Asphaltenes are harmful components of heavy crude oils and require rational utilization after oil refining or deasphalting. Asphaltenes are macromolecules containing various functional groups that self‐assemble to nanoscale aggregates and can be used as nanofillers for polymers. In this research, mixtures of asphaltenes with the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A were considered. The solubility of asphaltenes in this epoxy resin, the rheological properties of the mixtures, and the effect of asphaltenes on the curing with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl sulfone were studied. In addition, the glass transition temperature, strength, and adhesion characteristics of the asphaltene‐filled cured composites were evaluated. The dual role of asphaltenes in polymer modification was demonstrated: the asphaltenes simultaneously plasticize and reinforce the polymer matrix, and the transition from predominant plasticization to strengthening occurs with an asphaltene content at 20 wt%. The dual reinforcement/plasticization effect occurs because epoxy composites contain both nanosized and microsized particles of asphaltenes due to the partial dissolution of asphaltenes in the epoxy resin and the decrease in their solubility during high‐temperature curing.

中文翻译：

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重质原油沥青质作为环氧树脂的纳米填料

沥青质是重质原油的有害成分，在炼油或脱沥青后需要合理利用。沥青质是包含各种官能团的大分子，这些官能团可自组装成纳米级聚集体，可用作聚合物的纳米填料。在这项研究中，考虑了沥青质与双酚A的二缩水甘油醚的混合物。研究了沥青质在该环氧树脂中的溶解度，混合物的流变性质以及沥青质对4,4'-二氨基二苯砜固化的影响。此外，还评估了沥青质填充固化复合材料的玻璃化转变温度，强度和粘合特性。证明了沥青质在聚合物改性中的双重作用：沥青质同时可塑化和增强聚合物基体，沥青质含量为20 wt％时会发生从主要增塑到强化的转变。发生双重增强/塑化效果是因为环氧复合材料同时包含纳米级和微米级的沥青质颗粒，这归因于沥青质在环氧树脂中的部分溶解以及在高温固化过程中其溶解度的降低。