Viscoelastic behavior of epoxy prepolymer/organophilic montmorillonite dispersions

Dispersions of a bisphenol A-based epoxy resin with an organophilic montmorillonite (Nanofil 919) were studied by X-ray diffraction and oscillatory shear rheometry. X-ray studies reveal that the clay is intercalated by the epoxy and forms stable dispersions. The viscoelastic behavior of the nanodispersions was measured as a function of the Nanofil concentration and temperature. An increase in both G' and G" moduli was detected as the concentration increases. Furthermore, a transition from a liquid-like behavior, at low temperatures, to a solid-like behavior, at higher temperatures, was observed for all the samples. This transition is accounted for the formation of a percolated structure of interconnected tactoids through hydrophobic interactions. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.