MWCNT grafted with POSS-based novel flame retardant-filled epoxy resin nanocomposite: fabrication, mechanical properties, and flammability

ABSTRACT

In the present work, we prepared the MWCNT-L-POSS from the grafting reaction between octa (propylglycidyl ether) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The certainty of this product was confirmed by using the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technique. The MWCNT-L-POSS was applied as an additive for epoxy resin which was cured at room temperature. The main behaviors of the fabricated composite were studied including flexural strength and flammability. The flexural strength increase by 24.8% from 86.8 to 108.3 Mpa. The flame retardant of epoxy resin was improved by adding MWCNT-L-POSS with reducing the value of total smoke release (TSR), total heat release (THR), and peak heat release rate (PHRR).

KEYWORDS:

• Silane coupling agent
• multi-wall carbon nanotube
• thermosetting epoxy resin (EP)
• flexural strength
• flammability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by Foundation for Science and Technology Development of Ton Duc Thang University (FOSTECT), website: http://fostect.tdtu.edu.vn, under Grant FOSTECT.2017.BR.15;