Synthesis and characterization of UV-curing epoxy acrylate coatings modified with organically modified rectorite

Epoxy acrylate (EA) coatings modified with organically modified rectorite (OREC) were synthesized employing the ultraviolet-curing technique. Two kinds of alkyl ammonium ions, octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (OTAC) and [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (MAOTMA), were used to modify rectorite (REC). The methacrylate functionalities of MAOTMA were capable of reacting with the acrylate groups of EA. The structure of OREC was characterized by FTIR and XRD and the results indicated that the surfactants were successfully intercalated into the REC interlayers via cation exchange process. The morphology of nanocomposites was investigated by SEM and TEM. OREC showed better dispersion in EA matrix compared with unmodified REC. The T _g of neat EA obtained by DMA was 75.6°C, while for 5 wt% EA/MAOTMA-REC and EA/OTAC-REC nanocomposites it increased to 76.5 and 80.8°C, respectively. The nanocomposite with 3 wt% loading of OTAC-REC had the highest T _g (89.7°C). TGA revealed that the thermal stability of nanocomposites was enhanced by OTAC-REC and MAOTMA-REC and the thermal stability of EA/MAOTMA-REC nanocomposites was better than that of EA/OTAC-REC nanocomposites. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites containing OTAC-REC and MAOTMA-REC were better than those of nanocomposites containing unmodified REC. With increasing OREC content, the adhesive force of nanocomposites decreased slightly and the flexibility increased significantly.     

A coarse-grained model for polylactide: glass transition temperature and conformational properties

In this article, we present a coarse-grained (CG) model of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) developed by the iterative Boltzmann inversion (IBI) method. The coarse-grained potential was derived by matching the structural probability distribution functions to those of reference atomistic simulation. The resulting coarse-grained potential was found to be temperature-dependent when trying to reproduce the thermal expansion behavior of PLA. To satisfactory reproduce this behavior, the potential needs to be modified by a temperature factor of (T/T ₀)^0.3; T ₀ = 327 K is the temperature at which the potential has been derived. The glass transition temperature (T _g) as predicted by the modified CG potential compared favorably with those from experiment and atomistic simulation. Chain conformational properties were also evaluated in terms of a chain length (N)-radius of gyration (R _g) relation and the persistence length. The model we develop was also noted to provide a considerable speed-up of computer time compared to its atomistic counterpart.     

Investigation of the fast relaxation in glass-forming selenium by low-frequency Raman spectroscopy

The low-frequency Raman spectra of liquid and vitreous selenium are investigated. It is demonstrated that the temperature dependence of the intensity of the fast relaxation at the glass transition temperature (T _g = 308 K) exhibits a specific feature. This feature manifests itself in a sharper increase in the intensity at temperatures T > T _g as compared to that observed at lower temperatures. The intensities of the fast relaxation at the critical temperature T _c are evaluated by the extrapolation of the linear dependence to the temperature range T > T _g in the framework of the mode-coupling theory. The new results obtained for selenium are compared with the available data for other glass-forming materials (boron oxide, toluene, arsenic sulfide). It is shown that, for all the glasses under investigation, the parameter describing the contribution of the fast relaxation to the Raman spectrum takes on the same value at the critical temperature T _c and is approximately equal to 0.3.     

Change of the thermal behavior of 55Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ⋅ 45B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> glass at annealing close to the vitrification temperature

The characteristic properties of relaxation processes for 55Bi₂O₃ ? 45B₂O₃ glass were described. The pattern of changes of the vitrification temperature (T _g ) is found to be quasi-periodic; the value of the endothermic effect near T _g (ΔC’ _p ) and the difference between the softening point and the vitrification temperature (T _m –T _g ) were determined. The temperature-time parameters of the transition from quasi-periodic to the continuous change of the properties were determined and an explanation of such behavior of the system was offered.     

Problems of compatibility of the values of glass transition temperatures published in the world literature

The influence of different factors (primarily, the temperature-time conditions for preparation and measurement of samples) on the glass transition temperatures determined from the temperature dependences of properties is analyzed using the calculations performed in terms of the relaxation theory of glass transition. The most optimum conditions for measurement of the glass transition temperatures T _g that ensure the compatibility of the values of T _g obtained by different researchers are recommended. The validity of the assertion that the glass transition temperature T _g is a temperature at which the viscosity of glasses is equal to 10¹³ P is considered.     

Synergetic association of grafted PLA and functionalized graphene on the properties of the designed nanocomposites

The synergetic association of poly(lactic acid) grafted with maleic anhydride (MA-g-PLA) containing 0.44 wt% of maleic anhydride and epoxy-functionalized graphene (GFe) on the properties of the designed nanocomposites was studied. Rheological, mechanical and barrier properties of PLA nanocomposites were studied using different content of epoxy-functionalized graphene and MA-g-PLA compatibilizer. The PLA/MA-g-PLA/GFe nanocomposites prepared by melt blending, containing 5 wt% of MA-g-PLA, yield a maximum in storage modulus G′ and a rheological plateau at low frequencies, with a content of epoxy-functionalized graphene comprised between 4 and 7 wt%. This phenomenon was ascribed to a pseudo-solid behavior resulting from the high degree of epoxy-functionalized graphene exfoliation due to strong interfacial interactions with PLA and epoxy-functionalized graphene. The better mechanical and barrier performances were obtained with PLA/GFe containing 10 wt% of epoxy-functionalized graphene and 5 wt% of MA-g-PLA compatibilizer. The variation of the percentage of compatibilizer showed that 5 wt% of maleated PLA was sufficient to improve the thermal, rheological, mechanical and barrier properties of the PLA nanocomposite containing 7 wt% of epoxy-functionalized graphene.     

High-refractive quinolinone-based polymers for ophthalmic devices

Seven novel high refractive index (HRI) acrylic monomers, comprising the quinolinone structural motive, have been synthesized and characterized. Cross-linked homo- as well as copolymers were prepared by photochemical bulk polymerization. The homopolymers show refractive indices at 589 nm (n ₅₈₉) ranging from 1.60 up to 1.68, glass transition temperatures (T _g) from 52 to 76 °C, and Abbe numbers (ν _Abbe) of 19 to 25. Due to these parameters, the homopolymers are not suitable to be used directly for intraocular lens (IOL) manufacture, but the quinolinone monomers may be used as high refractive index components in copolymers. Potential mixtures were calculated theoretically and one example, a copolymer with PEA and PEGPEA, was prepared and characterized. The experimentally found values were T _g?=?24 °C, n ₅₈₉?=?1.593, and ν _Abbe?=?28.3. Interestingly, the quinolinone compound which does not have any spacer between the polymerizable group and the high refractive index group appears to be the most useful one. The lightfastness of the new material fulfills the demands for IOLs. Quinolinone derivatives are promising new comonomers for high refractive index copolymers.     

Thermal properties and crystallization behaviors of polylactide/redwood flour or bamboo fiber composites

A series of polylactide/redwood flour (PLA/RWF) and polylactide/bamboo fiber (PLA/BF) composites were successfully prepared using a solution mixing procedure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to characterize these composites. Thermal properties and crystallization behaviors of PLA composites were determined by their respective techniques of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). With the increasing content of fibers, the glass transition temperature (T _g ), crystallization temperature (T _c ), and melting temperature (T _m ) of PLA/RWF composites decreased first and then increased, but T _g and T _m of PLA/BF composites increased first and decreased afterwards. It is suggested that fibers could improve the segmental mobility of PLA; meanwhile, the different morphologies, sizes, and densities of RWF and BF have different effects on thermal properties of composites. Under the increasing content of RWF, the crystallization rate of the composite increased first and decreased afterwards. When the content of RWF was 5%, the crystallization rate was at its maximum. It could be possible that the addition of fibers was able to nucleate PLA and increase the degree of crystallinity, but the excess content of fibers easily led to heterogeneous composites and subsequent poor crystallization behaviors. In a word, thermal properties and crystallization behaviors of PLA composites were regularly changing by increasing content of fibers.     

Preparation of epoxy-based insulator and optimization of its thermal property by Taguchi robust design method in double base propellant grain application

Taguchi method (orthogonal array, OA₉) was used to design an epoxy insulator by evaluating its glass transition temperature (T _g) for using in a double base (DB) propellant grain. In this design method, three epoxy resins based on diglycidylether bisphenol A (DGEBA), three polyamine curing agents and a DGEBA-based reactive diluent agent were used. The curing process of epoxy resins with polyamines was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the curing process was completed at room temperature. The effects of four parameters including resin type, curing agent type, curing agent concentration and diluent quantity were investigated to design a resin formulation with a highest T _g after curing. The obtained results were quantitatively evaluated by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results of ANOVA showed that the highest T _g of 86.0 ± 9.0 °C was obtained for the optimum formulation of MANA POX-95 as epoxy resin, H-30 as curing agent and 52 phr H-30. The T _g measured by the experiment was 78.0 ± 0.9 °C. In addition, the single lap shear strength (adhesion strength) of the optimized insulator was measured at 13.66 ± 1.02 MPa. Pull-off test performed on the surface of DB propellant resulted a 1.935 ± 0.003 MPa adhesion strength.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyimides from 4,4′-(3-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl)-4-aminophenoxy)diphenyl ether

A novel diamine 4,4′-(3-(tert-butyl)-4-aminophenoxy)diphenyl ether (4) was synthesized from 2-tert-butylaniline and 4,4′-oxydiphenol through iodination, acetyl protection, coupling reaction and deacetylation protection. Then some polyimides (PIs) were obtained by one-pot polycondensation of diamne 4 with several commercial aromatic dianhydrides respectively. They all exhibit enhanced solubility in organic solvents (such as NMP, DMF, THF and CHCl₃ etc.) at room temperature. Their number-average molecular weights are in the range of (2.1–3.7)?×?10⁴ g/mol with PDI from 2.25 to 2.74 by GPC. They can form transparent, tough and flexible films by solution-casting. The light transparency of them is higher than 90% in the visible light range from 400 nm to 760 nm and the cut-off wavelengths of UV–vis absorption are below 370 nm. They also display the outstanding thermal stability with the 5% weight loss temperature from 525 °C to 529 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. The glass transition temperatures (T _g s) are higher than 264 °C by DSC. XRD results demonstrate that these PIs are amorphous polymers with the lower water absorption (<0.66%). In summary, the incorporation of tert-butyl groups and multiple phenoxy units into the rigid PI backbones can endow them excellent solubility and transparency with relatively high T _g s.     

Effect of functionalized polyethylenes on clay dispersion in high density polyethylene nanocomposites

The compatibilization effects provided by maleic anhydride (MA), itaconic acid (IAc), itaconic anhydride (IA), and 2-[2-(dimethylamine)-ethoxy]ethanol (DMAE) functionalized polyethylenes for forming high density polyethylene (HDPE)-based nanocomposites were studied and compared. IAc and IA were grafted into HDPE by melt mixing to obtain functionalized polyethylenes (HDPEgIAc and HDPEgIA) and amino alcohol functionalized polyethylene was prepared by reaction of commercial HDPEgMA with DMAE in the melt to form polyethylene-grafted dimethyl-amine-ethoxy-ethanol (PEgDMAE). Nanocomposites were prepared by melt processing using a twin screw extruder by blending polyethylene and these compatibilizers with a quaternary ammonium surfactant-modified montmorillonite clay (Nanomer I28E). FTIR characterization confirmed the formation of these compatibilizers and confirmed the reaction between HDPEgMA and the amino alcohol. All the compatibilized nanocomposites had better clay exfoliation compared to the uncompatibilized HDPE nanocomposites. Barrier properties, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results showed the following order of their performance as a compatibilizer: PEgDMAE > HDPEgAI > HDPEgAcI > HDPEgMA. This behavior was attributed to the specific interactions between the anionic surface of the clay and the functionality of the compatibilizer. Samples with higher clay content showed poorer clay dispersion or intercalation which was attributed to possible clay saturation when the van der Waals attractive interactions between the clay layers become dominant when the distance between them was small enough at a certain concentration of clay. A noticeable reduction in the degree of crystallinity with the incorporation of nanoclay was observed by thermal analysis whereas the melting temperature did not change noticeably.     

Tuning the interlaminar shear strength and thermo-mechanical properties of glass fiber composites by incorporation of (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane-functionalized carbon black

The incorporation of functionalized nanoscale fillers into traditional glass fiber/unsaturated polyester (GF/UPE) composites provides a more robust mechanical attributes. The current study demonstrates the potential of 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTS)-functionalized carbon black (f-CB) for enhancing the thermo-mechanical properties of GF composites. The composites infused with 1, 3 and 5 wt% of pristine and MPTS-functionalized CB were fabricated by hand lay-up and hot press processing. Tensile testing, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) testing and dynamic mechanical analysis were used to evaluate the performance of nanocomposites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy validated the MPTS functionalization of CB. Pristine CB-loaded nanocomposites exhibited marginal improvement in ultimate tensile strength (UTS), ILSS and thermo-mechanical properties. However, with the addition of f-CB, the improvement in all the studied properties was more substantial. The inclusion of 5 wt% f-CB increased the elastic modulus and UTS by 16 and 22%, respectively, whereas the ILSS was enhanced by 36%, in comparison to the neat GF composite. The scanning electron microscope analysis of fractured ILSS samples revealed better fiber-matrix adhesion and compatibility in f-CB-loaded nanocomposites. At the same filler weight percentage, the storage modulus at 25 °C was ~ 19% higher than that of neat composite. The f-CB inclusion resulted in increment of T _g by ~ 13 °C over the T _g of neat GF/UPE composite (~ 109 °C). These improvements were due to the chemical connection of f-CB to the UPE matrix and GF surface. With such improvements in thermal and mechanical properties, these nanocomposites can replace the conventional GF composites with prominent improvements in performance.     

Synthesis and physical properties of Curdlan branched Ester derivatives

Curdlan is a high-molecular-weight linear β-1,3-glucan synthesized by microorganisms. A series of curdlan branched esters with a degree of substitution of three were synthesized and their physical properties and structures were compared with those of curdlan linear esters. Thermal degradation temperatures of all the curdlan branched esters were ca. 360 °C; almost the same as those of curdlan linear esters. The curdlan branched esters had melting temperatures (T _m ) higher than those of the corresponding curdlan linear ester with the same side-chain carbon number. In particular, comparing T _m of curdlan propionate, curdlan isobutyrate, and curdlan pivalate, the latter two had high T _m of over 335 °C, suggesting that the degree of branching of the side chain affects the stability of molecular chains with helix structure in their crystals. Highly transparent films were prepared from the curdlan branched esters. These films exhibited higher Young’s modulus and tensile strength compared with those of films composed of the linear equivalents with the same side-chain carbon numbers. These results indicate that curdlan branched esters are promising thermoplastics with favorable thermal and mechanical properties because of the closer packing structure of their molecular chains than that of the corresponding curdlan linear esters.     

A magnetic polypeptide nanocomposite with pH and near-infrared dual responsiveness for cancer therapy

A magnetic polypeptide nanocomposite with pH and near-infrared (NIR) dual responsiveness was developed as a drug carrier for cancer therapy, which was prepared through the self-assembly of Fe₃O₄ superparamagnetic nanoparticles, poly(aspartic acid) derivative (mPEG-g-PDAEAIM) and doxorubicin (DOX) in water. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared to provide the superparamagnetic core of nanocomposites for tumor targeting via chemical co-precipitation. The protonable imidazole groups of mPEG-g-PDAEAIM with a pKa of ~7 were accountable for the pH-responsiveness of nanocomposites. The photothermal effect of nanocomposites under the irradiation of NIR laser was induced via the interactions between dopamine groups of mPEG-g-PDAEAIM and Fe₃O₄ superparamagnetic nanoparticles to trigger the drug release. NMR, FT-IR, TEM, hysteresis loop analysis and MRI were utilized to characterize the materials. The DOX loaded nanocomposites exhibited pH-responsive and NIR dependent on/off switchable release profiles. The nanocomposites without drug loading (Fe₃O₄@mPEG-g-PDAEAIM) showed excellent biocompatibility while DOX loaded nanocomposites caused MCF-7 cells’ apoptosis due to the photothermal/chemotherapy combination effects. Overall, the pH and near-infrared dual responsive magnetic nanocomposite had a great potential for cancer therapy.     

Effect of nitrogen to niobium atomic ratio on superconducting transition temperature of δ-NbN<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> powders

Powders of cubic niobium nitride δ-NbN _x with a particle size of below 20 μm were prepared by reactive diffusion at T = 1455?1475°C under nitrogen pressures of P ₁(N₂) = 0.1?3 MPa and P ₂(N₂) = 25 MPa. For these powders, the values of the stoichiometric coefficient x, lattice parameter a, and the superconducting transition temperature Tc were measured and the a(x), T _c(x) and T _c(a) functions were analyzed. The T _c values were found to linearly grow with increasing a (decreasing structure imperfection). A maximum value of T _c (15.8 K) corresponded to a maximum value of a (4.3934 Å). Maximain the a(x) and T _c(x) curves were found to correspond to a slightly substoichiometric nitride with x = 0.98. Having synthesized cubic niobium nitrides with 0.892 < x < 1.062, we managed to measure the dependences of a and T _c on x all over the almost entire homogeneity range for δ-NbN _x . Our a(x) and T _c(a) functions were found to reasonably agree with those previously reported for SHS-produced δ-NbN _x powders.     

Preparation of high surface area mesoporous nickel oxides and catalytic oxidation of toluene and formaldehyde

Mesoporous nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles were synthesized by the thermal decomposition reaction of Ni(NO₃)₂·9H₂O using oxalic acid dihydrate as the mesoporous template reagent. The pore structure of nanocrystals could be controlled by the precursor to oxalic acid dihydrate molar ratio, thermal decomposition temperature and thermal decomposition time. The structural characteristic and textural properties of resultant nickel oxide nanocrytals were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherm and temperature programmed reduction. The results showed that the most excellently mesoporous nickel oxide particles (m-Ni-1-4) with developed wormlike pores were prepared under the conditions of the mixed equimolar precursor and oxalic acid and calcined for 4 h at 400 °C. The specific surface area and pore volume of m-Ni-1-4 are 236 m² g^?1 and 0.42 cm³ g^?1, respectively. Over m-Ni-1-4 at space velocity = 20,000 mL g^?1 h^?1, the conversions of toluene and formaldehyde achieved 90 % at 242 and 160 °C, respectively. It is concluded that the reactant thermal decomposition with oxalic acid assist is a key step to improve the mesoporous quality of the nickel oxide materials, the developed mesoporous architecture, high surface area, low temperature reducibility and coexistence of multiple oxidation state nickel species for the excellent catalytic performance of m-Ni-1-4.     

Effect of Sodium Carbonate on the Cloud Point in Alkyl Ether/Brine Systems: Apparent Relation with Dynamic Interfacial Tension Minimum

The effect of Na₂CO₃ on the cloud point in Na₂CO₃/surfactant/brine was investigated using two series of nonionic surfactants, C₁₃EO _x and C₁₇EO _x . The cloud point, T _cp, was found to decrease linearly with increasing Na₂CO₃ concentration. This was attributed to Na⁺ and particularly to CO₃ ^2?salting-out effect. The slope a = dTcp/d[Na₂CO₃] became more and more negative as the degree of ethoxylation is increased, suggesting that the higher the number of ethylene oxide (EO) groups the stronger is the cloud point depression for a given increment in Na⁺and CO₃ ^2?ions in solution. This was also illustrated by the linear variation of ΔT _cp = T _cp,0 ? T _cp,[Na2CO3] with the surfactant degree of ethoxylation.     

Laponite-graphene oxide hybrid particulate filler enhances mechanical properties of cross-linked epoxy

A new hybrid of Laponite and graphene oxide (LGO), prepared in aqueous media by ultrasonication followed by solvent evaporation was used to reinforce epoxy matrix. The hybrid system was dispersed in liquid epoxy using a two-step solvent-assisted process. The suspensions showed negligible enhancements in processing barrier as revealed by rheology. A combinatorial analysis of small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and microscopy suggested uniform dispersion of nanofillers in the matrix. The fillers showed fractal dimensions in polymer matrix as inferred from SAXS studies. Below 0.5 wt% LGO, the structure showed surface fractal and above 0.5 wt% the composites showed mass fractal, indicating a transformation from well-dispersed to agglomerated composites as the filler content increases. The composites exhibited substantial improvements in various mechanical properties. Notably, the flexural strength and modulus increased by ~23% and ~29%, respectively, with only 0.5 wt% LGO and the fracture toughness showed an increment of ~23% with 0.3 wt% LGO in epoxy matrix. A bimodal distribution of glass transition temperature (T _g ) with improved T _g was obtained for the composites. The simultaneous strengthening and toughening effects of nanofillers are explained by means of fractography.     

Novel amphiphilic temperature responsive graft copolymers PCL-<Emphasis Type="Italic">g</Emphasis>-P(MEO<Subscript>2</Subscript>MA-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-OEGMA) via a combination of ROP and ATRP: synthesis,characterization, and sol-gel transition

A series of well-defined novel amphiphilic temperature-responsive graft copolymers containing PCL analogues P(αClεCL-co-εCL) as the hydrophobic backbone, and the hydrophilic side-chain PEG analogues P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA), designated as P(αClεCL-co-εCL)-g-P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA) have been prepared via a combination of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The composition and structure of these copolymers were characterized by ¹H NMR and GPC analyses. The self-assembly behaviors of these amphiphilic graft copolymers were investigated by UV transmittance, a fluorescence probe method, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. The results showed that the graft copolymers exhibited the good solubility in water, and was given the low critical temperature (LCST) at 35(±1) °C, which closed to human physiological temperature. The critical micelle concentrations (CMC) of P(αClεCL-co-εCL)-g-P(MEO₂MA-co-OEGMA) in aqueous solution were investigated to be 2.0 × 10^?3, 9.1 × 10^?4 and 1.5 × 10^?3 mg·mL^?1, respectively. The copolymer could self-assemble into sphere-like aggregates in aqueous solution with diverse sizes when changing the environmental temperature. The vial inversion test demonstrated that the graft copolymers could trigger the sol-gel transition which also depended on the temperature.     

A new extra situ sol–gel route to silica/epoxy (DGEBA) nanocomposite. A DTA study of imidazole cure kinetic

Silica nanoparticles were obtained through the Stöber method, from mixtures of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS). The nanoparticles were dispersed in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and coupled to bisphenol A epoxy resin (DGEBA) through surface amino groups. After removing THF non-isothermal cure was performed at different heating rates (2–20°C/min), using imidazole (2–4 wt%) as curing agent. For the sake of comparison bare DGEBA epoxy polymers were also prepared with similar schedule A nanocomposite of well-dispersed silica nanoparticles (5 wt%) in a fully cured epoxy matrix was easily obtained. Lower cure kinetics were observed with silica addition. This was attributed to reduction of the imidazole volume concentration. Cure activation energy was not influenced by silica presence, whereas it changed with the imidazole content. Therefore, experimental results suggested that silica had only an indirect effect (the reduction of the imidazole molar concentration) on the epoxy matrix cure kinetics. Glass transformation temperatures, T _g, as high as 175°C were recorded. The nanocomposite glass transformation temperature depended on the heating rate of the cure process, the imidazole and silica content. T _g changes as high as 40°C were detected as a function of the heating rate. At higher imidazole content no differences in T _g values between bare polymer and the nanocomposite were observed. This suggests that a higher imidazole content assures a better interconnection between the compatibilizing epoxy shell around the nanoparticles and the epoxy matrix. The new proposed methodology is an easy route to engineer both nanocomposites structure and interfacial interactions, thus tailoring their properties.