Thermosetting epoxy polymers are widely employed as matrices for fabricating fibre-reinforced composites due to their exceptional strength and stiffness. However, the inherent brittleness of epoxy and its generally low fracture toughness impose limitations on their utilization in high-end applications. To address this challenge, the incorporation of micro-and nanoscale fillers emerges as a promising strategy for enhancing the durability of epoxy. MXene belonging to a versatile family of 2D transition-metal carbides, carbonitrides, and nitrides, offer superior physical and mechanical characteristics, making them ideal candidates for creating multifunctional polymer nanocomposites. In this study, MXene nanosheets (specifically Ti3C2Tx) were introduced at concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 0.5% by weight, and their dispersion in the epoxy-hardener mixture was achieved through ultrasonication. Remarkably, the incorporation of 0.5 wt. % MXene led to an 8°C increase in the glass transition (Tg) temperature and a 5°C elevation in the crystallisation temperature at 0.3 wt. % loadings. However, at higher MXene concentrations, these values exhibited a decrease. Overall, the mechanical characteristics of the nanocomposites demonstrated improvement. This enhancement is attributed to the effective distribution of MXene within the epoxy matrix, contributing to an overall enhancement of the material's properties.
Citation
JANJUA, A.A., SAHARUDIN, M.S., OKECHUKWU, A.E., YOUNAS, M. and FAISAL, N. 2025. Enhancing epoxy polymer composites with MXene nanosheets for improved thermal performance. Journal of nano research [online] 87, pages 101-109. Available from: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-OAqN4d
The full conference paper has been published with the following citation: JANJUA, A.A., SAHARUDIN, M.S., OKECHUKWU, A.E., YOUNAS, M. and FAISAL, N. 2024. Enhancing epoxy polymer composites with MXene nanosheets for improved thermal performance. In Sellés Cantó, M.Á. and Sánchez-Caballero, S. (eds.) Tribology in manufacturing processes and advanced surface engineering (10th ICTMP): selected peer-reviewed extended articles based on abstracts presented at the 10th International conference on tribology in manufacturing processes and advanced surface engineering (ICTMP2024), 26-28 June 2024, Alcoy, Spain. Scientific books collection, 179. Baech: Trans Tech Publications [online], pages 65-76. Available from: https://doi.org/10.4028/b-FWMJz3. (ISBN 9783036405117; eISBN 9783036415116)
The abstract for this presentation has been published with the following citation: JANJUA, A.A., SAHARUDIN, M.S., OKECHUKWU, A.E., YOUNAS, M. and FAISAL, N. 2024. Enhancing epoxy polymer composites with MXene nanosheets for improved thermal performance. In Sellés Cantó, M.Á. and Sánchez-Caballero, S. (eds.) Book of abstracts from the 10th International conference on tribology in manufacturing processes and advanced surface engineering (10th ICTMP 2024), 26-28 June 2024, Alcoy, Spain. Baech: Trans Tech Publications [online], page 40. Available from: https://doi.org/10.4028/b-9sEuzV. (ISBN 9783036405124; eISBN 9783036415123)
