Study on Phenolic Resins Modified by Copper Nanoparticles

Phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins modified by nanosized copper particles were synthesized by in situ polymerization process. XRD, TEM revealed that the copper particles in the resulting PF resins had a spherical geometry with a measurement of 30-60 nm in diameter, and there were few which were agglomerate. The thermal properties of the prepared PF resins were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was indicated that copper nanoparticles remarkably improved the thermal stability of the PF resins at lower temperature. The initial decomposition temperature of the modified PF resin could increase by 47 °C, compared to the pure one. However, the copper nanoparticles increased the rate of the degradation of the PF resins at the elevated temperature. The effects of copper nanoparticles on the thermal properties of the PF resins, which were used as a matrix of a friction material, were needed. The toughness of the prepared PF resins was also studied. The results revealed that copper nanoparticles obviously improved the brittleness of the PF resins. The impact strength of the modified PF resin might increase by 66.6%, compared to the pure one.