Complex structures formed by combination of polymer-grafted GO and impact modifier in epoxy

Abstract Parameters of epoxy can be effectively improved using polymer-grafted GO. This study reveals so far unknown structure-directing performance of single- and bimodally-grafted GO in impact-modified epoxy. Bimodal grafting leads to formation of lamellae with less ordered more distant GO and fair mobility of grafted dissimilar chains due to their repulsive interactions, resulting in favourable effect on mechanical properties of epoxy. Unlike single-grafted GO with aligned plates, this ordering is not disturbed by added rubber which is more markedly incorporated even as layered domains into lamellae. Formation of more complex structures controlled by grafting geometry was also found. Structure–properties relationships indicate low contribution of added rubber, both as single inclusions or incorporated into ordered GO domains, which confirms high effectivity of lamellar structure with linked polymer chains of relatively high mobility.