THE EFFECT OF FUNCTIONALIZED NANOFILLERS ON THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF EPOXY COMPOSITES

The study explores the impact of incorporating pristine and aminoacetic acid-functionalized nanofillers, specifically nanodiamonds (ND) and aluminum nitride (AlN), on the structure formation and performance of epoxy polymers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis reveals the morphology and pronounced agglomeration tendencies of these nanofillers, underscoring the need for functionalization to improve their dispersion and interaction with the polymer matrix. The functionalization of ND and AlN with aminoacetic acid significantly accelerates the gelation and curing processes, as evidenced by thermometric and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies, which show a reduction in curing times and temperatures along with enhanced thermal effects. Mechanical testing demonstrates that epoxy composites containing aminoacetic acid-treated ND and AlN exhibit marked improvements in strength, modulus, and impact resistance compared to those with pristine nanofillers. Moreover, the results show that the incorporation of ND and AlN nanoparticles, whether pristine or aminoacetic acid-modified, notably increases the heat resistance and thermal stability of epoxy nanocomposites, with higher aminoacetic acid concentrations correlating with even greater improvements in these properties. These findings highlight the effectiveness of aminoacetic acid treatment in optimizing the physical and mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites, offering promising avenues for advanced material development.