Functionalization of sodium titanate nanoribbons with silanes and their use in the reinforcement of epoxy nanocomposites

This paper reports on the surface functionalization of sodium titanate nanoribbons (NaTiNRs) with four different silane coupling agents: 3‐(aminopropyl)tri‐ethoxysilane, triethoxyoctylsilane, 3‐glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, and 3‐aminopropylmethyl diethoxysilane. The functionalized NaTiNRs were used to prepare epoxy‐based nanocomposites with three different wt% of nanofillers (1, 2 and 3 wt% per epoxy). The properties of the prepared nanocomposites were then compared with the pure epoxy resin. The functionalized NaTiNRs, as well as the epoxy and prepared nanocomposites, were characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry‐thermogravimetric analysis (DSC‐TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis. The SEM results showed that the 2‐ and 3‐functional silanes are not the best choice for the modification as they glue the NaTiNRs together into clusters. As a consequence, the glass‐transition temperatures and the mechanical properties are not strongly influenced by the addition of functionalized NaTiNRs. Nevertheless, the influence of the type of silane can be observed. Furthermore, the thermal stability of the prepared nanocomposites increases with the increased loading of the functionalized NaTiNRs. POLYM. COMPOS. 34:1382–1388, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers