Journal Article

Influence of HNT-ZnO Nanofillers on the Performance of Epoxy Resin Composites for Marine Applications

Vătău, Daniel Mihai Stănescu, Vuluga, Zina, Nicolae, Cristian-Andi, Trică, Bogdan, Gabor, Augusta Raluca, Stănciulescu, Cătălin Marian, Şomoghi, Raluca, Mihai, Sonia, Teodorescu, George-Mihail, Oancea, Florin

2024

Overview

Epoxy resin was conjugated with halloysite nanotubes (HNT) and different types of ZnO nanoparticles (commercial ZnO and modified ZnO-ODTES) to obtain HNT-ZnO/epoxy resin composites. These ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were utilized with the intention to enhance the interfacial bonding between the epoxy resin and the reinforcing agent (HNT). The properties of resulted epoxy resin composites were characterized by various methods such as FTIR-ATR, TGA, DSC, TEM-EDX, and Nanoindentation analyses. The thermal properties of the epoxy resin composites were enhanced to a greater extent by the addition of HNT-ZnO nanofillers. DSC testing proved that the modification in the glass transition temperature can be due to the physical bonding between the epoxy resin and filler (HNT and/or ZnO). It was seen that the epoxy resin modified with HNT and ZnO-ODTES has the highest resistance to scratching by having a good elastic recovery as well as high values for surface hardness (~187.6 MPa) and reduced modulus (2980 MPa). These findings can pave the way for the developing of ZnO-based marine coatings with improved properties.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Bonding agents / Carbon / Composite materials / Corrosion resistance / Dielectric properties / Elastic recovery / Epoxy resins / Glass transition temperature / Heat resistance / Mechanical properties / Morphology / Nanoindentation / Nanoparticles / Nanotubes / Polymers / Scratch resistance / Scratching / Spectrum analysis / Surface hardness / Thermal properties / Thermodynamic properties / Zinc oxide / Zinc oxides