Solution mixing epoxy nanocomposites

The synthesis of polymer nanocomposites can be divided into three main classes, i.e. melt intercalation, intercalation of the polymer from solution and in-situ polymerization. Whilst synthesis via melt intercalation is not applicable to thermosetting systems, a few reports were made on the epoxy nanocomposites formation from solution, mainly as a way to get intimate mixing or to... 

Many studies have used these methods for processing of both thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers. Y. Liao (53) dissolved epoxy in a well-dispersed, ultra-sonicated CNT suspension. The solvent was evaporated, and the epoxy was subsequently cured to form a nanocomposite in which the good CNT dispersion was achieved. Jin et al. (54) produced various types of polymer-coated and polymer-grafted MWNT solutions, in some cases evaporating the solvent and subsequently melt-mixing with another polymer. Yudasaka et al. (55) used a mixture of SWNTs and PMMA in monochlorobenzene (MCB) for dispersion, purification and subsequent spin-casting of the material. 

The epoxy resin, clay and polysulfone were dried in a vacuum oven at 100°C for 24 h. In nanocomposite preparation, the DGEBA and the MMT were mixed at 80 °C. For the preparation of systems containing PSF, polymer pellets were previously dissolved in methylene chloride and the polymer solution were mixed either with DGEBA or with DGEBA/MMT. The solvent was removed by distillation. Finally, the DDS was dissolved at 135°C. 

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