Various Morphologies of Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4) and Their Effect on the Thermomechanical Properties of Thermoset Epoxy Resin Composites

Abstract

This research aims to highlight the importance of diverse forms of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) as strengthening elements in epoxy composites. It explores the influence of three different forms of g-C3N4 and their concentrations on the mechanical properties of the epoxy composites. Various characterization techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), were utilized to comprehend the effects of g-C3N4 morphology and particle size on the physical and chemical characteristics of epoxy resin. Mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, strain, modulus, and fracture toughness, were determined for the composite samples. SEM analysis was performed to examine crack morphology in samples with different reinforcements. Findings indicate that optimal mechanical properties were achieved with a 0.5 wt% bulk g-C3N4 filler, enhancing tensile strength by 14%. SEM micrographs of fracture surfaces revealed a transition from brittle to rough morphology, suggesting increased toughness in the composites. While the TGA results showed no significant impact on degradation temperature, dynamic mechanical analysis demonstrated a 17% increase in glass transition temperature. Furthermore, the improvement in thermal breakdown up to 600 °C was attributed to reinforced covalent bonds between carbon and nitrogen, supported by FTIR results.