Effect of nickel phyllosilicate on the morphological structure, thermal properties and wear resistance of epoxy nanocomposites

Effect of organic-modified nickel phyllosilicate on the non-isothermal cure kinetics and flame retardancy properties of epoxy composites

In this study, silane agents were employed as organic silicon to synthesize organic-modified nickel phyllosilicates (NiPS), which were then introduced into epoxy resin (EP) to yield composites. The effects of these organic-modified NiPS on the curing behavior and flammability of epoxy composites were then investigated carefully. Though the added NiPS resulted in the initial temperature shifts to high temperature, the whole curing temperature ranges for EP composites became narrow regarding pure EP. Simultaneously, the activation energy of curing was also decreased, implying the lowered energetic barrier during the whole curing process. For all investigated samples, the overall reaction orders varied negligibly, and the predicted curves fitted well with the DSC thermograms. Finally, the positive influence derived from the presence of these organic-modified NiPS on the enhancement of self-extinguishing ability and limited oxygen index were also discussed, and the solid phase flame retardant mechanism was proposed.

The cure behavior of EP/NiPS composites were investigated by non-isothermal DSC. And the curing kinetics for the EP/NiPS composites were described by the autocatalytic equation of the SB model.

Magnetic Field-Induced Orientation of Modified Boron Nitride Nanosheets in Epoxy Resin with Improved Flame and Wear Resistance

In this work, self-lubricating boron nitride nanosheets (BNNs) were decorated with flame-retardant zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄), followed by stearic acid modification to obtain magnetic and hydrophobic properties. Under the external magnetic field, the obtained ZnFe₂O₄-BNNs can be well ordered into one-dimensional orientation in the epoxy resin (EP) matrix-enabling improved flame retardant properties. Compared to a randomly oriented ZnFe₂O₄-BNN equivalent, the well-orientated ZnFe₂O₄-BNNs (at 10% mass fraction) reduce the peak heat release rate and CO production by 47 and 51%, respectively. Furthermore, the ZnFe₂O₄-BNN/EP composite monoliths demonstrate excellent durability, displaying continued superhydrophobicity under Taber abrasion, high external pressure, knife scratch, long-term exposure to acids/bases, and harsh UV irradiation. In addition, the result shows that the well-oriented ZnFe₂O₄-BNN/EP composite demonstrates better tribological performance and the friction coefficient is reduced by 76.9%.