Epoxy Nanocomposites Based on Silylated Montmorillonite: Effect of the Coupling Agents Structure on the Mechanical Properties

Abstract: MMT clay-based polymer nanocomposites have been widely studied because of their low cost and unique characteristics, as well as their applications in commercial sectors. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of MMT silylated by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane on the mechanical behaviour of MMT/epoxy nanocomposites by evaluation of dynamical mechanical analysis and nanoindentation technique. The silicate clay layers were dispersed in the epoxy matrix by sonication process obtaining the intercalation of the epoxy resin inside the inorganic galleries of MMT. The results showed that the MMT modified with N-(2-aminoethyl)-3- aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, which is characterized by the longer alkyl functional group, exhibits an higher compatibility with polymer matrix and improved mechanical properties.