Synthesis and Study of the Thermal and Rheological Properties of New Polyepoxide Resin Filled with Carbon Nanotubes

Continuing our investigation into the synthesis and applications of new epoxy resins, we developed a new octafunctional epoxy resin based on octaglycidyl ether tetra-aniline para methylene dianiline (OGTAPMDA) and investigated its rheological and thermal properties after being reinforced with carbon nanotubes. After manufacturing the resin, we measured its viscometric and rheological properties with an Ubbelohde-type capillary viscometer and a RHM01-RD Haaks rheometer, respectively. To create new nanocomposite materials, the resin was cross-linked thermally with methylene dianiline (MDA) in the presence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The thermogravimetric study results allowed us to assess and understand the nature of the heat degradation of these new macromolecular composites. It demonstrates that the thermal stability of the base matrix increases in proportion to the fraction of CNTs. It also shows an increase in the density of the nanocomposites when large amounts of CNTs are utilized, resulting in an increase in polymer viscosity. Rheological investigations of our nanocomposites, on the other hand, show that their thermal and rheological properties are similar. This describes how CNT particles improve the thermal and rheological properties of nanocomposites. The produced nanocomposites' morphology was also examined using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The images obtained demonstrate that the carbon nanotubes are evenly distributed in the polyepoxide matrix.