Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Activated Carbon–Filled Epoxy Nanocomposites

Cellulose nanocrystal functionalized aramid nanofiber reinforced epoxy nanocomposites with high strength and toughness

The mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites can be improved by incorporating various types of nanofillers. The hybridization of nanofillers through covalent linkages between nanofillers with different dimensions and morphology can further increase the properties of nanocomposites. In this work, aramid nanofibers (ANFs) are modified using chlorinated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and functionalized with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane to improve the chemical and mechanical interaction in an epoxy matrix. The integration of CNC functionalized ANFs (fACs) in the epoxy matrix simultaneously improves Young's modulus, tensile strength, fracture properties, and viscoelastic properties. The test results show that 1.5 wt% fAC reinforced epoxy nanocomposites improve Young's modulus and tensile strength by 15.1% and 10.1%, respectively, and also exhibit 2.5 times higher fracture toughness compared to the reference epoxy resin. Moreover, the glass transition temperature and storage modulus are found to increase when fACs are incorporated. Thus, this study demonstrates that the enhanced chemical and mechanical interaction by the CNC functionalization on the ANFs can further improve the static and dynamic mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites.

A review of the recent trend in the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials derived from oil palm by-product materials

Grown only in humid tropical conditions, the palm tree provides high-quality oil essential for cooking and personal care or biofuel in the energy sector. After the refining process, this demand could cause numerous oil palm biomass waste management problems. However, the emergence of carbon nanomaterials or CNMs could be a great way to put this waste to a good cause. The composition of the palm waste can be used as a green precursor or starting materials for synthesizing CNMs. Hence, this review paper summarizes the recent progress for the CNMs production for the past 10 years. This review paper extensively discusses the method for processing CNMs, chemical vapor deposition, pyrolysis, and microwave by the current synthesis method. The parameters and conditions of the synthesis are also analyzed. The application of the CNMs from palm oil and future recommendations are also highlighted. Generally, this paper could be a handy guide in assisting the researchers in exploring economic yet simple procedures in synthesizing carbon-based nanostructured materials derived from palm oil that can fulfill the required applications.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Effect of dendrimer-functionalized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on improving thermal and mechanical properties of DGEBA/IPD epoxy networks

In this work, the effects of dendrimer-functionalized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4@D-NH2) on improving thermal and mechanical properties in epoxy networks (ENs) are investigated. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are prepared by coprecipitation of iron (II) chloride tetrahydrate with iron (III) chloride hexahydrate. Poly(amido-amine) dendrimer is synthesized by Michael addition reaction from diethylenetriamine with methyl acrylate. The fabricated dendrimer has been used to stabilize and functionalize magnetic nanoparticles. Then, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are encapsulated within the dendrimer and subsequently loaded into diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin in two different contents, that is, 5 and 10 wt%. The amine groups of dendrimer-functionalized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles allow them to be covalently linked to the polymer matrix alongside the main amine hardener. The resulting epoxy/magnetic iron oxide nanocomposites are thoroughly characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Probing the thermal behaviors of the epoxy/magnetic iron oxide nanocomposites by thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the temperature of 10% decomposition and the temperatures of the maximum decomposition rate values of Fe3O4@D-NH2@EN series increased up to 20 and 10°C, respectively. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis also indicated that the organo-magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can lead to an excellent interaction between the nanoparticles and the resulting DGEBA/isophorone diamine ENs.