Effects of Functionalized Nano-TiO 2 on the Molecular Motion in Epoxy Resin-Based Nanocomposites

• Published in: Materials Vol. 13; no. 1
• Main Authors: Wang, Shihang, Yu, Shihu, Li, Jianying, Li, Shengtao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01-01-2020
• Subjects: epoxy resin; molecular motion; nanocomposite; glass transition temperature; TiO2
• EISSN: 1996-1944

Epoxy resin-based nanocomposites have been widely researched for being potential insulating materials in high voltage power equipment. In this paper, nano-TiO
particles were chosen and surface-modified by a silane coupling agent containing an epoxy group. The effect of functionalized nano-TiO
doping on the physical properties of epoxy resin was studied. The results of differential scanning calorimetry show that
increased significantly and can be increased by up to 35 °C. Therefore, it is believed that the suppression of molecular motion by the addition of nanofillers works effectively in the case of this functionalized nano-TiO
and a strong interaction between the epoxy resin and the nano-TiO
was formed after surface modification. Consequently, dynamic mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and trap characteristics of epoxy resin are all adjusted after introducing functionalized nano-TiO
. All of these physical properties were analyzed from the perspective of suppression of molecular motion, and it is of significance to establish the theory of a nanocomposite dielectric. Besides, the results show that the epoxy/TiO
nanocomposite is expected to be applied in the insulation system of electrical equipment.