The Influence of Pristine and Aminoacetic Acid-Treated Aluminum Nitride on the Structure, Curing Processes, and Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites

Abstract

This article describes the preparation of aluminum nitride (AlN) functionalized with amino groups by chemically modifying the surface of AlN with aminoacetic acid and their dispersion in the epoxy composition. As a result of the studies, it was found that the functionalization of AlN particles with aminoacetic acid ensured their better chemical compatibility with the epoxy composition, which facilitated the dispersibility of AlN particles; it was also found that the functionalization of the nanofiller has a significant effect on the structure, curing kinetics, physicochemical and mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites. The optimal concentration of the functionalizing agent (aminoacetic acid) has been determined, which is necessary for the chemical binding of the functional groups of aminoacetic acid, the epoxy oligomer and AlN, which best affects the dispersion and the size distribution of AlN particles, and also ensures maximum strength characteristics of epoxy composites containing AlN treated with aminoacetic acid: bending stress and bending modulus increase by 35% and 80%, respectively, while tensile strength and tensile elastic modulus increase by 74% and 36%, respectively. Furthermore, the impact strength shows a remarkable boost of 133% compared to plasticized epoxy composite without AlN.