Strength improvements in toughened epoxy composites using surface treated GnPs

Nanographitic materials are gaining enormous interest as a new class of reinforcement for nanocomposites, promising revolutionary electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. However, the progress has been quite limited especially in terms of mechanical properties. Here we report a significant leap, >2× increases in tensile strength and modulus of an epoxy composite using surface treated graphite nanoplatelets (GnPs). This corroborated by increases in Tgs as well as the presence of oxygen‐functionalized groups verified by XPS, suggest improved distribution and chemical interaction at the filler‐to‐matrix interface. Toughness values also showed increases with concentration, without compromising the strength or failure strain. However, if solvent levels during degassing were not reduced sufficiently, negligible contributions to strength and stiffness were observed with GnP loading. Subsequent elevated temperature treatments increased the strength of the composite due to cure enhancement of the matrix material, yet did not provide mechanical enhancements due to the incorporation of the filler. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40802.