Changing the Mechanism for Curing Epoxy Oligomers in the Presence of Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

A comprehensive study of the effect of functionalized carbon nanotubes (FCNTs) is made to evaluate the kinetics of the curing reaction, microstructure, and thermo- and physicomechanical properties of epoxy compositions. The differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques are used to establish that the effect of FCNTs on the curing reaction depends on the initial conditions. The results obtained are explained within the framework of the hypothesis that the developing curing reaction has a frontal mechanism. This hypothesis is confirmed through a simulation of curing an epoxy oligomer using a curing agent localized on the FCNT surface.