Influence of the isothermal cure temperature on the nanostructure and thermal properties of an epoxy layered silicate nanocomposite

Abstract

The cure kinetics of triglycidyl p‐amino phenol (TGAP) epoxy resin with a diamine (4,4‐diamino diphenyl sulphone [DDS]), reinforced with montmorillonite (MMT), has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The isothermal cure reaction consists of two parts: a rapid intra‐gallery reaction, attributed to homopolymerization of the TGAP catalyzed by the MMT and the extra‐gallery cross‐linking reaction of the TGAP with the DDS. Increasing cure temperature promotes the intra‐gallery reaction, which should promote an exfoliated nanostructure; this is confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. These results indicate that this system (TGAP/DDS/MMT) is an excellent candidate for achieving exfoliated polymer‐layered silicate nanocomposites and identifies a protocol for optimizing the degree of exfoliation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:51–58, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers