Synthesis and characterization of linseed vinyl ester fatty amide-modified epoxy layered silicate nanocomposites

Abstract

Bio-based epoxy/clay nanocomposites were prepared by swelling organoclay in an epoxy (DGEBA)/linseed vinyl ester fatty amide (LVEFA), followed by curing with an aromatic hardener, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM). The X-ray diffraction showed the existence of intercalated clay in the polymer matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated a gradual increase in the glass transition temperature as the organoclay loading increased. The tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength of 20 wt.% linseed vinyl ester-modified epoxy composites significantly increased by 23.65, 13.19 and 40.7%, respectively, with increasing organoclay concentration. The tensile modulus and flexural moduli were enhanced by 14 and 9.28%, respectively.