Clay Functionalization with Different Aminosilanes for Nanocomposites Preparation

This study describes the prepn. and the characterization of nanocomposites obtained by dispersion of amino-functionalised clays in DGEBA based adhesives. The amino-functionalised clays were obtained through silylation of Na+ Cloisite with three different aminosilanes such as A1100 (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane), A1120 (N(beta-aminoethyl)y-aminopropyltrimethoxy-silane) and A1130 (Triaminofunctional silane). The presence of amino moieties on the layered silicates was confirmed by FTIR, thermal gravimetric and X-ray diffraction anal. In particular it was evidenced that the d-spacing between platelets constituting the tactoid filler increases as shorter is the org. chains of the different silanes. The nanocomposites obtained by dispersing the amino functionalised clays into a com. epoxy adhesive were characterised in terms of thermal and mech. behavior. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.