Synthesis of novel epoxy-group modified phosphazene-containing nanotube and its reinforcing effect in epoxy resin

In this work, novel epoxy-group modified phosphazene-containing nanotubes (EPPZTs) were successfully synthesized through the reaction between epichlorohydrin and phosphazene-containing nanotubes with active hydroxyl groups. The structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and the morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). EPPZTs/epoxy resin composites were prepared by introducing EPPZTs into epoxy resin matrix (EP618). Impact strength and tensile strength of the composites with different content of EPPZTs were tested and SEM was used to study the dispersion of EPPZTs in polymer matrix. The best effect in reinforcing the matrix was observed when the content of EPPZTs was 0.1%. The thermal stability of the composites was studied by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and it was found that the addition of EPPZTs effectively increased the residue and decreased the weight loss rate. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.