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Abstract
An epoxy prepolymer based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A was modified with poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PC) by a reactive blending process at high temperature in the presence of alumina nanoparticles. Cure kinetics of the copolymer network was investigated by dynamic and isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Two kinetic models of n-th order and Sestak-Berggren (SB) equations were used to estimate the kinetic parameters. Curing characteristics of the nanocomposite blend was further interpreted using the advanced isoconversional method of Vyazovkin. FT-IR results show that presence of nanoalumina may promote the degradation of PC and reactions between epoxy and PC that occur in 200°C. Results from SEM analysis revealed that the nanoparticle may enhance the adhesion property of the blend by reducing the number and size of cracks on the fracture surface. It was shown by XRD measurements that an ultrasonicated dispersion process is an effective approach to homogeneous dispersion of nanoalumina into PC-DGEBA blend.