Preparation and properties of LDHs/epoxy nanocomposites

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs)/epoxy nanocomposites were prepared by mixing the amino laurate intercalated LDHs, EPON 828 resin, and Jeffamine D400 as a curing agent. The organo-modified LDHs with hydrophobic property easily disperse in epoxy resin, and the amino laurate intercalated LDHs with large gallery space allow the epoxy molecules and the curing agents to easily diffuse into the LDHs galleries at elevated temperature. After the thermal curing process, the exfoliated LDHs/epoxy nanocomposites were formed. X-ray diffraction was used to detect the formation process of the exfoliated LDHs/epoxy nanocomposites. TEM was used to observe the dispersed behavior of the LDHs nanolayers, and the LDHs nanolayers were exfoliated and well dispersed in these nanocomposites. Owing to the reaction between the amine groups of the intercalated amino laurate and epoxy groups, the adhesion between the LDHs nanolayers and epoxy molecules makes these LDHs/epoxy nanocomposites more compatible. Consequently, the tensile properties from tensile test and the mechanical properties from DMA were enhanced, and the T_g of these nanocomposites from DMA and TMA were increased. Coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs, below and above T_g) of these nanocomposites from TMA decreased with the LDHs content. The thermal stability of these nanocomposites was enhanced by the well dispersed LDHs nanolayers.