Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 5, 2025
09:06
Evaluation of the Curing of Adhesive Systems by Rheological and Thermal Testing
Published on: July 3, 2020
7.4K
Curing and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of MXene/Phenolic Epoxy Composites with Different Amine Curing Agent Systems
Rui Cai1,2, Jinlong Zhao3, Naixin Lv1
1State Key Laboratory for Performance and Structure Safety of Petroleum Tubular Goods and Equipment Materials, CNPC Tubular Goods Research Institute, Xi'an 710077, China.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 9, 2022
Summary
Adding MXene to phenolic epoxy composites accelerates curing and enhances the glass transition temperature (Tg). This improvement, observed with both 4,4-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) and dicyandiamine (DICY) curing agents, stems from restricted molecular movement, confirmed by simulations.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanocomposites
Background:
- Epoxy resins are widely used polymers requiring curing agents to form cross-linked networks.
- MXene nanomaterials offer potential for enhancing polymer properties.
- Understanding curing kinetics and thermal properties is crucial for material performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the curing kinetics and glass transition temperature (Tg) of MXene/phenolic epoxy composites.
- To evaluate the influence of MXene content and different curing agents (DDS and DICY) on composite properties.
- To correlate experimental findings with mathematical modeling and molecular dynamics simulations.
Main Methods:
- Experimental characterization of MXene/phenolic epoxy composites.
- Mathematical modeling using the SB(m,n) two-parameter autocatalytic model.
- Molecular dynamics simulations to analyze Tg and free volume fraction (FFV).
Main Results:
- MXene/epoxy composites with both DDS and DICY curing agents followed the SB(m,n) model.
- MXene addition accelerated curing and increased Tg by approximately 20 K.
- Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that MXene enhances Tg and FFV by restricting molecular motion.
Conclusions:
- MXene incorporation effectively modifies the curing behavior and thermal properties of phenolic epoxy composites.
- The observed improvements in Tg and FFV are attributed to MXene's ability to limit polymer chain mobility.
- Experimental and simulation results show good agreement, validating the proposed mechanisms.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Curing of Concrete
163
The hydration of cement takes place within the water-filled capillary pores. However, environmental elements can disrupt this process by evaporating water from the concrete surfaces. Sealed concrete with a water-cement ratio below 0.5 experiences self-desiccation, leading to water loss. The water loss in concrete is mitigated by curing. This technique involves keeping the concrete saturated to maintain the necessary temperature and moisture conditions, to optimally fill the spaces in the cement...
163
01:26Curing Methods
120
Concrete members with a small surface-to-volume ratio are cured by oiling and moistening the forms before casting the concrete member. These forms can be left in place for a prolonged period to prevent moisture loss, and can be wetted if made of a material suitable for wetting. If the forms are removed early, the concrete member is moistened and covered with polythene sheets to maintain moisture. For large horizontal concrete surfaces exposed to dry weather, a temporary covering is suspended...
120
01:25Accelerated Curing of Concrete
247
Accelerating concrete curing is achieved by applying heat and additional moisture. This process accelerates the hydration of the cement, resulting in an earlier strength gain in the concrete. Steam curing is a method wherein the concrete products are either transported through a chamber on a conveyor belt or encased in plastic, allowing steam at atmospheric pressure to circulate freely around them. This process begins with a phase of moist curing that typically lasts between 3 to 5 hours, after...
247
00:53Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)
2.0K
Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization or ADMET polymerization involves cross-metathesis of terminal dienes, such as 1,8-nonadiene, to give linear unsaturated polymer and ethylene. As ADMET is a reversible process, the formed ethylene gas must be removed from the reaction mixture to complete the polymerization process.
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...
2.0K