Nanomechanical Properties of UV Degraded TiO2/Epoxy Nanocomposites

Abstract

ABSTRACTModel epoxy nanocomposite thin films containing one of three types of titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles were degraded using an integrating sphere-based ultraviolet weathering chamber. Instrumental Indentation Testing (IIT) was used to measure nanomechanical changes in the surface region of thin films resulting from UV exposure. Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) were used to support the mechanical results with chemical and thermal data. The unfilled epoxy was the most photosensitive sample tested, exhibiting the highest rates of chemical oxidation, the largest decrease in the glass transition (Tg), and the greatest increase in elastic modulus with increased exposure. Similar trends were observed in the nanocomposite films, but the rates of change were much lower than the unfilled epoxy and decreased with increasing volume fraction of nanoparticles.