Bicontinuous silica-epoxy nanocomposites by aerogel infusion
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Shaw, Charles
Anthony, David
Hamerton, Ian
Shaffer, Milo
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Interpenetrated, bicontinuous nanocomposites are formed by fully infusing monolithic mesoporous silica (silica aerogel) with epoxy resin. The long-range connectivity of the silica network facilitates direct load transfer and enforces sample homogeneity. The silica networks are prepared using sol–gel chemistry, informed by new phase diagrams, adapted to maximise reinforcement content in the subsequent bicontinuous composite. The infusibility of the aerogels is correlated to pore characteristics determined by gas sorption, as a function of silica aerogel density. Silica reinforcement loadings of up to 22 silica vol.% are fully consolidated, with only a modest reduction in glass transition temperature and no change in cure conditions. The reinforcement improves both hardness (+23 %) and reduced modulus (+17 %) of the baseline resin. These properties increase with aerogel content via a power law relationship which demonstrates the direct role of the connected silica phase as a reinforcing network and motivates future studies to extend the applicable range.
Date Issued
2024-07
Date Acceptance
2024-03-19
Citation
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2024, 182
ISSN
1359-835X
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Volume
182
Copyright Statement
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359835X24001611
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
108164
Date Publish Online
2024-03-21