Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Enhancement of thermal and mechanical performances of epoxy nanocomposite materials based on graphene oxide grafted by liquid crystalline monomer with Schiff base

  • Polymers & biopolymers
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Liquid crystal (LC) monomer with Schiff base-grafted functionalized GO (M2-g-GO) sheets was successfully prepared to enhance the dispersion and interfacial interaction between additives (M2-g-GO) and the epoxy matrix (E-51), resulting in the enhancement of thermal and mechanical performances of epoxy nanocomposites. The structures and performances of neat epoxy, GO/epoxy nanocomposite, and M2-g-GO/epoxy nanocomposites were characterized by a few analytical tests, such as Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical analyzer, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Meanwhile, the polarized optical microscope test displayed LC monomer with Schiff base-grafted GO has been successfully synthesized. The Tg and thermal performance of M2-g-GO/epoxy nanocomposites were distinctly promoted compared with those of the neat epoxy and GO/epoxy nanocomposite. Meanwhile, mechanical tests demonstrate the M2-g-GO/epoxy nanocomposites possess greater impact strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus than those of the neat epoxy and GO/epoxy nanocomposite. It is also worth mentioning that the flexural strength with the adding content of 3 wt% increased by 62.1%, and the flexural modulus with the adding content of 3 wt% increased by 19.1%. Moreover, Td1% of M2-g-GO/epoxy nanocomposites were all higher than the neat epoxy (170 °C), and the Td5% of epoxy composites were around 385 °C, which were nearly 15 °C higher than that of neat epoxy. Meanwhile, the char yield of M2-g-GO/epoxy nanocomposites at 650 °C is 1.4% higher than that of 3 wt% GO/epoxy nanocomposites. Hence, the M2-g-GO exhibits predominant feasibility as effective increased thermal and toughness additives for leading to the enhancement of thermal and mechanical performances of nanocomposites.

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
Scheme 2
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lee JY, Jang JS (2006) The effect of mesogenic length on the curing behavior and properties of liquid crystalline epoxy resins. Polymer 47:3036–3042

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Shen Y, Cong YH, Zhang BY, Lang QY, Hu B (2018) Dispersing nanoparticles by chiral liquid crystalline elastomers for performance enhancement of epoxy nanocomposites. Macromol Mater Eng 303:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  3. Chen F, Cong YH, Zhang BY (2016) Synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline epoxy and co-polymerisation with a non-mesomorphic epoxy resin. Liq Cryst 43:1100–1109

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Chen J, Taylor AC (2012) Epoxy modified with triblock copolymers: morphology, mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms. J Mater Sci 47:4546–4560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-012-6313-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Li XD, Xia YQ, Xu WL, Ran QC, Gu Y (2012) The curing procedure for a benzoxazine-cyanate-epoxy system and the properties of the terpolymer. Polym Chem 3:1629–1633

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wang X, Li N, Wang JY, Li GY, Zong LC, Liu C, Jian XG (2018) Hyperbranched polyether epoxy grafted graphene oxide for benzoxazine composites: enhancement of mechanical and thermal properties. Compos Sci Technol 155:11–21

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Zhang ZE, Cai JC, Chen F, Li H, Zhang WX, Qi WJ (2018) Progress in enhancement of CO2 absorption by nanofluids: a mini review of mechanisms and current status. Renew Energy 118:527–535

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Mahian O, Koisi L, Amani M, Estelle P, Ahmadi G, Kleinstreuer C, Marshall JS, Siavashi M, Tayior RA, Niazmand H, Wongwises S, Hayat T, Kolanjiyil A, Kasaeian A, Pop I (2019) Recent advances in modeling and simulation of nanofluid flows—part I: fundamentals and theory. Phys Rep 790:1–48

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Liu K, Lu SR, Li SR, Huang B, Wei C (2012) Mechanical and thermal properties of POSS-g-GO reinforced epoxy composites. Iran Polym J 21:497–503

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Lu SR, Li SR, Yu JH, Yuan ZK, Qi B (2013) Epoxy nanocomposites filled with thermotropic liquid crystalline epoxy grafted graphene oxide. RSC Adv 38:8915–8923

    Google Scholar 

  11. Lee CH, Yang CK (2012) Coupling of a carbon nanotube and graphene nanoribbon by titanium and vanadium chains: a first-principles study. RSC Adv 2:9958–9963

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Shau SM, Juang TY, Lin HS, Huang CL, Hsieh CF, Wu JY, Jeng RJ (2012) Individual graphene oxide platelets through direct molecular exfoliation with globular amphiphilic hyperbranched polymers. Polym Chem 3:1249–1259

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Liu XJ, Pan LK, Lv T, Zhu G, Lu T, Sun Z, Sun CQ (2011) Microwave-assisted synthesis of TiO2-reduced graphene oxide composites for the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI). RSC Adv 1:1245–1249

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Cheng HKF, Sahoo NG, Tan YP, Pan YZ, Bao HQ, Li L, Chan SH, Zhao JH (2012) Poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites filled with poly(vinyl alcohol)-grafted graphene oxide. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 4:2387–2394

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Paszkiewicz S, Szymczyk A, Pilawka R, Przybyszewski B, Czulak A, Roslaniec Z (2017) Improved thermal conductivity of poly(trimethylene terephthalate-block-poly(tetramethylene oxide)) based nanocomposites containing hybrid single-walled carbon nanotubes/graphene nanoplatelets fillers. Adv Polym Technol 36:236–242

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Limbu TB, Hahn KR, Mendoza F, Sahoo S, Razink JJ, Katiyar RS, Weiner BR, Morell G (2017) Grain size-dependent thermal conductivity of poly-crystalline twisted bilayer graphene. Carbon 117:367–375

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Rafifiee MA, Rafifiee J, Srivastava I, Wang Z, Song HH, Yu ZZ, Koratkar N (2010) Fracture and fatigue in graphene nanocomposites. Small 6:179–183

    Google Scholar 

  18. Men YJ, Li XH, Antonietti M, Yuan JY (2012) Poly(tetrabutylphosphonium 4-styrenesulfonate): a poly(ionic liquid) stabilizer for graphene being multi-responsive. Polym Chem 3:871–873

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Lei L, Shan J, Hu J, Liu X, Zhao J, Tong Z (2016) Co-curing effect of imidazole grafting graphene oxide synthesized by one-pot method to reinforce epoxy nanocomposites. Compos Sci Technol 128:161–168

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Dai Z, Wang G, Liu L, Hou Y, Wei Y, Zhang Z (2016) Mechanical behavior and properties of hydrogen bonded graphene/polymer nano-interfaces. Compos Sci Technol 136:1–9

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Paredes JI, Villar-Rodil S, Martinez-Alonso A, Tascon JMD (2008) Graphene oxide dispersions in organic solvents. Langmuir ACS J Surf Colloids 24:10560–10564

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Shen B, Zhai W, Tao M, Lu D, Zheng W (2013) Chemical functionalization of graphene oxide toward the tailoring of the interface in polymer composites. Compos Sci Technol 77:87–94

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Takahashi A, Lin CJ, Ohshimizu K, Higashihara T, Chen WC, Ueda M (2012) Synthesis and characterization of novel polythiophenes with graphene-like structures via intramolecular oxidative coupling. Polym Chem 3:479–485

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Bai S, Shen XP (2012) Graphene-inorganic nanocomposites. RSC Adv 2:64–98

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Dreyer DR, Jarvis KA, Ferreira PJ, Bielawski CW (2012) Graphite oxide as a carbocatalyst for the preparation of fullerene-reinforced polyester and polyamidenanocomposites. Polym Chem 3:757–766

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Ma YX, Li YF, Zhao GH, Yang LQ, Wang JZ, Shan X, Yan X (2012) Preparation and characterization of graphite nanosheets decorated with Fe3O4 nanoparticles used in the immobilization of glucoamylase. Carbon 50:2976–2986

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Ma D, Lin JT, Chen YY, Xue W, Zhang LM (2012) In situ gelation and sustained release of an antitumor drug by graphene oxide nanosheets. Carbon 50:3001–3007

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Zhang XD, Cong YH, Zhang BY (2017) Reduced graphene oxide/liquid crystalline oligomer composites based on reversible covalent chemistry. Phys Chem Chem Phys 19:6082–6089

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Henmi M, Nakatsuji K, Ichikawa T, Tomioka H, Sakamoto T, Yoshio M, Kato T (2012) Self-organized liquid-crystalline nanostructured membranes for water treatment: selective permeation of ions. Adv Mater 24:2238–2241

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Lin PC, Cong YH, Sun C, Zhang BY (2016) Non-covalent modification of reduced graphene oxide by a chiral liquid crystalline surfactant. Nanoscale 8:2403–2411

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Zhao GX, Wen T, Chen CL, Wang XK (2012) Synthesis of graphene-based nanomaterials and their application in energy-related and environmental-related areas. RSC Adv 2:9286–9303

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Guo HL, Peng M, Zhu ZM, Sun LN (2013) Preparation of reduced graphene oxide by infrared irradiation induced photo-thermal reduction. Nanoscale 5:9040–9048

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Zhu YW, Murali S, Cai WW, Li XS, Suk JW, Potts JR, Ruoff RS (2010) Synthesis, properties, and applications. Adv Mater 22:3906–3924

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Seo JM, Baek JB (2014) A solvent-free Diels-Alder reaction of graphite into functionalized graphene nanosheets. Chem Commun 50:14651–14653

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Yuan J, Chen G, Weng W, Xu Y (2012) One-step functionalization of graphene with cyclopentadienyl-capped macromolecules via Diels-Alder “click” chemistry. J Mater Chem 22:7929–7936

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Li J, Zhang G, Deng L, Zhao S, Gao Y, Jiang K, Sun R, Wong C (2014) In situ polymerization of mechanically reinforced, thermally healable graphene oxide/polyurethane composites based on Diels-Alder chemistry. J Mater Chem A 2:20642–20649

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Seo JM, Jeon IY, Baek JB (2013) Mechanochemically driven solid-state Diels-Alder reaction of graphite into graphene nanoplatelets. Chem Sci 4:4273–4277

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Su YG, Tang J, Zhang K, Yuan JS, Li J, Zhu DM, Ozawa K, Qin LC (2017) Comparison of reduction products from graphite oxide and graphene oxide for anode applications in lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries. Nanoscale 9:2585–2595

    Google Scholar 

  39. Yan YN, Kuila T, Kim NH, Ku B-C, Lee JH (2013) Effects of reduction and polystyrene sulfate functionalization on the capacitive behaviour of thermally exfoliated graphene. J Mater Chem A 1:5892–5901

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Krishnamoorthy K, Veerapandian M, Yun K, Kim SJ (2013) The chemical and structural analysis of graphene oxide with different degrees of oxidation. Carbon 53:38–49

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Yang DX, Velamakanni A, Bozoklu G, Park S, Stoller M, Piner RD, Stankovich S, Jung I, Field DA, Ventrice CA, Ruoff RS (2009) Chemical analysis of graphene oxide films after heat and chemical treatments by X-ray photoelectron and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Carbon 47:145–152

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Hu YZ, Shen JF, Li N, Shi M, Ma HW, Yan B, Wang WB, Huang WS, Ye MX (2010) Amino-functionalization of graphene sheets and the fabrication of their nanocomposites. Polym Compos 31:1987–1994

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Allen MJ, Tung VC, Kaner RB (2010) Honeycomb carbon: a review of graphene. Chem Rev 110:132–145

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Yu JH, Huang XY, Wu C, Wu XF, Wang GL, Jiang PK (2012) Interfacial modification of boron nitride nanoplatelets for epoxy composites with improved thermal properties. Polymer 53:471–480

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Wan YJ, Tang LC, Gong LX, Yan D, Li YB, Wu LB, Jiang JX, Lai GQ (2014) Grafting of epoxy chains onto graphene oxide for epoxy composites with improved mechanical and thermal properties. Carbon 69:467–480

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Guan LZ, Wan YJ, Gong LX, Yan D, Tang LC, Wu LB, Jiang JX, Lai GQ (2014) Toward effective and tunable interphases in graphene oxide/epoxy composites by grafting different chain lengths of polyetheramine onto graphene oxide. J Mater Chem A 2:15058–15069

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Wang X, Jin J, Song M (2013) An investigation of the mechanism of graphene toughening epoxy. Carbon 65:324–333

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Zaman I, Phan TT, Kuan HC, Meng Q, La LTB, Luong L, Youssf O, Ma J (2011) epoxy/graphene platelets nano-composites with two levels of interface strength. Polymer 52:1603–1611

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Park YT, Qian Y, Chan C, Suh T, Nejhad MG, Macosko CW, Stein A (2015) epoxy toughening with low graphene loading. Adv Funct Mater 25:575–585

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. U1708258).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Centre for Molecular Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110004, People’s Republic of China

    Bing Hu, Yue-hua Cong, Bao-yan Zhang, Yu Shen & Hao-zhou Huang

  2. School of Science, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110004, People’s Republic of China

    Bao-yan Zhang

  3. Fushun Wanbo Mechanical Device Co., Ltd., Fushun, 113000, People’s Republic of China

    Lei Zhang

Authors
  1. Bing Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yue-hua Cong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bao-yan Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lei Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yu Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hao-zhou Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bao-yan Zhang.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 47 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hu, B., Cong, Yh., Zhang, By. et al. Enhancement of thermal and mechanical performances of epoxy nanocomposite materials based on graphene oxide grafted by liquid crystalline monomer with Schiff base. J Mater Sci 55, 3712–3727 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-04273-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-04273-2

Search

Navigation