Study on the effect of phenol anchored multiwall carbon nanotube on the curing kinetics of epoxy/Novolac resins

Multiwall carbon nanotube was functionalized by introducing ylide groups containing anchored phenol structures on the surface. The influence of functionalized carbon nanotube on the curing kinetics of diglycidyl ether of 4,4′-bisphenol-epoxy mesogenic resin was studied by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry at various heating rates. Novolac and triphenyl phosphine were used as a curing agent and activator, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry peak of the pristine and functionalized carbon nanotube filled epoxy/Novolac resin shifts to the higher temperature indicating its influence on the curing reaction. The activation energy calculated by Kissinger method clearly depicts the autocatalytic reactions.