Raman spectroscopy study of the role of dispersion and interfaces in the improvement of the mechanical properties of epoxy-TiO2 composites
The final properties and durability of advanced epoxy-based composites reinforced with ceramic particles depend on both the particle dispersion and the particle-matrix interaction. The main objective of this work is to understand the role of TiO2 particle dispersion in an epoxy matrix by high-resolu...
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Materials Research and Technology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785424029843 |
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| author | María Fernández-Álvarez Alberto Moure Luis Angulo Delgado Julián J. Reinosa José F. Fernández |
| author_facet | María Fernández-Álvarez Alberto Moure Luis Angulo Delgado Julián J. Reinosa José F. Fernández |
| author_sort | María Fernández-Álvarez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The final properties and durability of advanced epoxy-based composites reinforced with ceramic particles depend on both the particle dispersion and the particle-matrix interaction. The main objective of this work is to understand the role of TiO2 particle dispersion in an epoxy matrix by high-resolution confocal Raman spectroscopy, evaluating the nature of their interaction and the crosslinking state of the polymeric matrix. These factors determine the mechanical and wear behaviour of the composites, allowing the properties of the final composite to be explained through spectroscopic measurements, depending on the dispersion state of the filler. To achieve these goals, a novel dispersion method, involving three steps (high-speed stirring, high-shear mixing, and tri-cylinder rolling), was developed. Materials composed of an epoxy matrix and submicrometric TiO2 particles (0.1–10 wt%) were manufactured using this method and a conventional mechanical agitation method commonly used for comparison. Raman spectroscopy revealed that the advanced method achieved a high degree of homogeneity, reducing filler agglomeration and improving epoxy crosslinking. The epoxy-based composites with effectively dispersed particles exhibit improved mechanical properties, such as increased hardness and reduced wear, compared to both non-reinforced epoxy and materials obtained by conventional mixing. This work highlights the importance of engineering the dispersion and interface of TiO2 particles in an epoxy matrix and demonstrates the potential to predict the final properties of a composite through a novel evaluation using Confocal Raman microscopy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-37010a2ce0db4dab81577fce6da3f819 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2238-7854 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Materials Research and Technology |
| spelling | doaj-art-37010a2ce0db4dab81577fce6da3f8192025-01-19T06:25:44ZengElsevierJournal of Materials Research and Technology2238-78542025-01-013417441758Raman spectroscopy study of the role of dispersion and interfaces in the improvement of the mechanical properties of epoxy-TiO2 compositesMaría Fernández-Álvarez0Alberto Moure1Luis Angulo Delgado2Julián J. Reinosa3José F. Fernández4Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio (ICV), CSIC, Kelsen 5, 28049, Madrid, Spain; Corresponding author.Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio (ICV), CSIC, Kelsen 5, 28049, Madrid, SpainInstituto de Cerámica y Vidrio (ICV), CSIC, Kelsen 5, 28049, Madrid, SpainInstituto de Cerámica y Vidrio (ICV), CSIC, Kelsen 5, 28049, Madrid, Spain; Encapsulae S.L, Lituania 10, Castellón de la Plana, 12006, SpainInstituto de Cerámica y Vidrio (ICV), CSIC, Kelsen 5, 28049, Madrid, SpainThe final properties and durability of advanced epoxy-based composites reinforced with ceramic particles depend on both the particle dispersion and the particle-matrix interaction. The main objective of this work is to understand the role of TiO2 particle dispersion in an epoxy matrix by high-resolution confocal Raman spectroscopy, evaluating the nature of their interaction and the crosslinking state of the polymeric matrix. These factors determine the mechanical and wear behaviour of the composites, allowing the properties of the final composite to be explained through spectroscopic measurements, depending on the dispersion state of the filler. To achieve these goals, a novel dispersion method, involving three steps (high-speed stirring, high-shear mixing, and tri-cylinder rolling), was developed. Materials composed of an epoxy matrix and submicrometric TiO2 particles (0.1–10 wt%) were manufactured using this method and a conventional mechanical agitation method commonly used for comparison. Raman spectroscopy revealed that the advanced method achieved a high degree of homogeneity, reducing filler agglomeration and improving epoxy crosslinking. The epoxy-based composites with effectively dispersed particles exhibit improved mechanical properties, such as increased hardness and reduced wear, compared to both non-reinforced epoxy and materials obtained by conventional mixing. This work highlights the importance of engineering the dispersion and interface of TiO2 particles in an epoxy matrix and demonstrates the potential to predict the final properties of a composite through a novel evaluation using Confocal Raman microscopy.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785424029843Epoxy matrixParticle reinforcementInterfaceDispersion methodMechanical propertiesRaman spectroscopy |
| spellingShingle | María Fernández-Álvarez Alberto Moure Luis Angulo Delgado Julián J. Reinosa José F. Fernández Raman spectroscopy study of the role of dispersion and interfaces in the improvement of the mechanical properties of epoxy-TiO2 composites Journal of Materials Research and Technology Epoxy matrix Particle reinforcement Interface Dispersion method Mechanical properties Raman spectroscopy |
| title | Raman spectroscopy study of the role of dispersion and interfaces in the improvement of the mechanical properties of epoxy-TiO2 composites |
| title_full | Raman spectroscopy study of the role of dispersion and interfaces in the improvement of the mechanical properties of epoxy-TiO2 composites |
| title_fullStr | Raman spectroscopy study of the role of dispersion and interfaces in the improvement of the mechanical properties of epoxy-TiO2 composites |
| title_full_unstemmed | Raman spectroscopy study of the role of dispersion and interfaces in the improvement of the mechanical properties of epoxy-TiO2 composites |
| title_short | Raman spectroscopy study of the role of dispersion and interfaces in the improvement of the mechanical properties of epoxy-TiO2 composites |
| title_sort | raman spectroscopy study of the role of dispersion and interfaces in the improvement of the mechanical properties of epoxy tio2 composites |
| topic | Epoxy matrix Particle reinforcement Interface Dispersion method Mechanical properties Raman spectroscopy |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2238785424029843 |
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