EPOXY-TITANIUM OXIDE NANOCOMPOSITES: SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES

The epoxy nanocomposites were synthesized using the sol-gel method. The composites were filled with titanium dioxide, which was formed simultaneously with polycondensation between the resin and amine. Titanium oxide nanofiller particles were formed by hydrolytic polycondensation of tetrabutoxytitanium. Epoxy-amine polymer Eponex 1510 / Jeffamine T-403 was used as a matrix for the composites. Composites containing up to 10 wt.% TiO₂ were obtained. The key factor determining the properties of the obtained composites was the formation of a three-dimensional titanium oxide network throughout the entire volume of the composite. As a result, the glass transition temperature of the samples and the temperature of completion of their transition to a highly elastic state increase. The synthesized epoxy-titanium oxide composites are more resistant to high-temperature oxidation by oxygen, as well as to isothermal and non-isothermal thermo-oxidative destruction. The main stage of the destruction process of nanocomposites begins at higher temperatures and proceeds at a significantly slower rate.