Melamine-Functionalized Graphene Oxide as a Multifunctional Modifier for High-Performance Epoxy Nanocomposites with...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing advanced polymer composites requires overcoming nanofiller agglomeration and weak interfacial interactions.
• Graphene oxide (GO) is a promising nanofiller, but its effective dispersion and integration into polymer matrices remain challenging.
• Achieving high-performance epoxy nanocomposites necessitates strategies for robust filler-matrix bonding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a covalent functionalization strategy for graphene oxide (GO) using melamine.
• To create high-performance epoxy nanocomposites by incorporating the modified filler (mel-GO).
• To investigate the synergistic effects of mel-GO on the curing, mechanical, and thermal properties of epoxy resins.

Main Methods:

• Covalent functionalization of graphene oxide with melamine.
• Characterization of functionalized graphene oxide (mel-GO) using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy.
• Fabrication and testing of epoxy nanocomposites containing mel-GO and unmodified GO.

Main Results:

• Melamine functionalization introduced nitrogen-containing heterocyclic structures on GO, confirmed by spectroscopy.
• Mel-GO addition accelerated epoxy curing, reducing gelation time and increasing self-heating temperature, indicating enhanced interfacial interaction.
• Significant improvements were observed in tensile strength, flexural strength, elastic moduli, impact strength, and hardness compared to composites with unmodified GO.
• Dramatic increases in thermal and thermal-oxidative stability, including higher decomposition temperatures and char yield, were achieved.
• Formation of a thermally stabilizing barrier layer was confirmed by increased coke residue and Vicat softening point.

Conclusions:

• Covalent functionalization of GO with melamine is an effective strategy for creating high-performance epoxy nanocomposites.
• The mel-GO filler offers synergistic effects, enhancing both mechanical and thermal properties beyond those of composites with unmodified GO.
• This approach paves the way for next-generation epoxy composites with superior strength, toughness, and thermal stability for extreme condition applications.