Epoxy-nanocomposites containing exfoliated zirconium phosphate: Preparation via cationic photopolymerisation and physicochemical characterisation

Gels of exfoliated α-zirconium phosphate in 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3′,4′-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate (hereafter BCDE) were polymerised by a UV-induced process and the resulting nanocomposites were characterised by TEM, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis. Real-time FT-IR spectroscopy was used to investigate the photopolymerisation kinetics. The polymerisation rate of the gels is faster than that of neat BCDE, especially when the filler is functionalised with aminoalcohols (HO(CH2)nNH2, with n = 3, 4, 5). The composites exhibit lower Tg values in comparison with neat polymerised BCDE. Because of the barrier effect towards oxygen diffusion due to the high aspect ratio of the filler particles, all composites also exhibit enhanced thermal stability.