Nano-Zirconium Tungstate Reinforced Liquid Crystalline Thermosetting Composites with Near Zero Thermal Expansion

Abstract : One crucial factor limiting the performance of polymer matrix composites is their relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), which impacts the dimensional stability of these materials. This report described the synthesis and characterization of zirconium tungstate (ZrW2O8) nanoparticles with negative CTE and their applications in an epoxy resin to produce low CTE nanocomposites. This work also described the synthesis and characterization of a unique class of thermosets known as liquid crystalline epoxy resins (LCERs) for the development of advanced polymer matrices for high performance composites. Results showed that it was possible to control structure and the resulting functionality of the LCERs by curing the synthesized epoxy monomer with appropriate curing agents. Highly crosslinked LCERs exhibited a self-reinforcing effect because of the self-organized liquid crystalline phase and are promising candidates for the polymer matrices in structural composites. Lightly crosslinked LCERs exhibited a triple shape memory effect and are excellent candidates for the development of multifunctional polymer composites.