Effect of ZnO nanoparticles on the thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy-based nanocomposite

Effect of ZnO nanoparticles particles on the mechanical properties and the curing behavior of an epoxy nanocomposite were studied. Nanocomposites were prepared using different loadings of pre-dispersed ZnO nanoparticles having an average size of 40 nm. The surface topography and morphology of the nanocomposites were studied using atomic force microscope (AFM). The mechanical properties of nanocomposites were studied using analytical techniques including dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and micro-Vickers hardness. Effects of ZnO nanoparticles on the curing behavior of these nanocomposites were investigated utilizing isothermal and non-isothermal differential scanning calorimeter techniques. In addition, chemical compositions of coatings containing different ZnO nanoparticles contents were studied using a Fourier transform inferred. It was found that, ZnO nanoparticles can effectively influence the mechanical properties of epoxy coating. In addition, lower curing degrees, and therefore crosslinking density of epoxy coating including higher ZnO nanoparticles were obtained. This effect was completely different at low and high loadings of the particles.