Curing epoxy with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surface-functionalized CoxFe3-xO4 nanoparticles

Abstract Complete curing of thermoset systems containing nanoparticles is the first step towards achieving high properties. Surface functionalization of nanoparticles has frequently been considered as the best way to tackle incomplete curing arising from inadequate nanoparticle dispersion throughout thermoset resins. By contrast, the effect of modifications of bulk composition of nanoparticles with elements having potential for curing resins has remained hitherto undescribed in the literature. In this work, cathodic electro-deposition was used in synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) capped MNPs (PVC-MNPs) and Co-doped PVC-MNPs to study the effects of surface and surface-bulk modification of MNPs on epoxy ring opening with an aliphatic curing agent. X-Ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometry analyses probed into changes in surface and bulk of nanoparticles. The universal Cure Index criterion lying on nonisothermal DSC data unraveled curability of epoxy with curing agent under the influence of bulk and surface/bulk modification of MNPs. Systems containing MNPs, PVC-MNPs and Co-doped PVC-MNPs were labeled Poor, Good, and Excellent. Results revealed that bulk modification significantly affected epoxy curing in support of surface functionalization.