Synthesis and Characterization of Epoxy-Amine-Titania Composites

Abstract

The present research project encompasses the study of epoxy-amine-titania composites based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), cured with Jeffamine D-400. Titania network was generated ex-situ via inorganic sol gel route. The first type of titania was partially condensed, leaving OH at its surface . The second type was the completely dried and condensed calcined titania network, while coupling agent was grafted onto the surface of the third type of titania namely functionalized titania. The particles were characterized by Attenuated Total Reflection Infra-Red Spectroscopy (ATR-IR), X-Ray Diffraction analysis (XRD) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The A TR-IR revealed the surface morpho logy of particles, while XRD gave information about the structure of crystallites. AFM confirmed the functionalization of particles. Namely EAT- I , EAT-2, and EAT-3 three unique composite systems were synthesized by blending titania network with the epoxy amine matrix. EA T-l system contained epoxy-amine and micro-titania without a coupling agent. EA T-2 system contained epoxy-amine and calcined titania, while a coupling agent was grafted onto the titania fi ller alongwith the epoxy-amine matrix in the EA T-3 system. The resu lting composites \~' ere characterized by Attenuated Total Reflection Infra-Red Spectroscopy (ATl -IR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and mechanical analysis. A TR-IR spectral analysis revealed chemisorption of particles in case of EAT-3, whi le DSC thermograms showed the transition in the Tg depending upon the type of fill er. TGA gave the thermal stability profile. Comparison of the tensile properties with the neat matrix showed the modification in the mechanical properties. Among the three composite sys tems, the system containing functionalized titania showed best performance owing to stronger interaction between the matrix and the filler.