Preparation and Thermal Stability Properties of Epoxy Matrix/Nano-SiO2 Composites

The addition of nanoparticles has been proven to a high potential application for improving polymer thermal stability properties. In this paper, the nanocomposites based on epoxy matrix modified with different mass ratio of silica nanoparticles were investigated. In order to disperse and incorporate silica nanoparticles into epoxy matrix, silica nanoparticles were modified with coupling agent (Gamma-glycidoxy propyl trimethoxy silan, KH-560). FTIR spectra showed that KH-560 was absorbed on the surface of SiO2 nanoparticles. The thermo gravimetric traces indicated that the addition of silica nanoparticles has improved the thermal stability properties of epoxy matrix significantly. The decomposition temperature of nanocomposite increased with the addition of nanoSiO2, and the temperatures of the maximum rate of degradation of the unmodified nanocomposite with 0wt%, 1wt%, 3wt%, 5wt% nanoSiO2 were 401oC, 405oC, 411oC, 421oC, respectively. The temperatures for 50% weight loose of the modified nanocomposite with 1wt% and 3wt% nanoSiO2 were 389oC and 405oC, respectively.