Reinforcement effect of nanodiamond on properties of epoxy matrix

Epoxy/nanocrystalline diamond nanocomposites composites were prepared by dispersing ultrasonically, 0.4, 0.7, 1.0, and 4.0 wt. % acid treated nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) powder in epoxy matrix. Fourier infrared spectroscopy was utilized to study the moieties attached to the nanodiamond particles. The trace elements present in NCD powder before and after acid treatment were analyzed using ion beam techniques. Thermo-mechanical properties of the nanocomposites showed that incorporation of low content (0.4 wt. %) of nanodiamond powder into epoxy matrix enhanced the storage modulus, loss modulus and hardness by ~68%, ~55% and ~86% respectively over neat epoxy. By increasing the concentration of modified NCD to 0.7 wt. % resulted in lower values of hardness and thermo-mechanical properties but still remain higher than neat epoxy. An increasing trend in properties was again observed at 4 wt. % concentration of modified nanofiller. The improvement in storage modulus, loss modulus and hardness was ~57%, 105% and 70% respectively. The glass transition temperature was up shifted to ~110°C over neat epoxy. The mechanisms responsible for enhanced properties of epoxy matrix are also discussed in detail.