Enhancement of Microwave Absorption Properties of Epoxy by Sol-Gel-Synthesised ZnO Nanoparticles

• Published in: Indian chemical engineer (Calcutta, India : 1997) Vol. 58; no. 4; pp. 310 - 324
• Main Authors: Thakur, Shaila, Bhattacharya, Rahul, Neogi, Swati, Neogi, Sudarsan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Taylor & Francis 01-10-2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Absorbance; Composite; Epoxy; Epoxy resins; Microwave; Microwave absorption; Microwaves; Modulus of rupture in bending; Nanoparticles; Sol-gel; Synthesis; Zinc oxide; Zinc oxides
• ISSN: 0019-4506; 0975-007X
• DOI: 10.1080/00194506.2015.1090888

The microwave absorption property of epoxy resins is generally poor, which can be improved by introducing fillers such as carbon nanotubes and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) having good microwave absorption characteristics. In this paper, the microwave absorption properties of epoxy-ZnO nanocomposites have been studied. The ZnO NPs were synthesised using the sol-gel technique and characterised for size, shape and composition. It was observed that the NPs had a polycrystalline structure and an average particle size of 27.5 nm. The synthesised NPs were incorporated into the epoxy resin at 1% and 2% loading using a closed mould technique. The flexural strength of the composites was examined using Universal Testing Machine and the glass transition temperature was measured using differential scanning calorimetry. It was seen that the flexural modulus increased by around 6% and 11% for 1% and 2% ZnO loading. The microwave absorbance of pure and ZnO-filled epoxy was tested using a Network Analyzer and it was found that the microwave absorbance is dependent on the frequency and nanoparticle loading and it increased with the increase in ZnO loading.