Dopamine-modified nanographite as reinforcing filler for epoxy nanocomposite

A biomimetic dopamine chemistry was employed to enhance the dispersibility of nanographite in epoxy resin. The as-prepared polydopamine (PDA)-coated nanographite were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Epoxy/nanographite nanocomposites were prepared by curing reaction of epoxy E44, Jeffamine D-230 and polydopamine-coated nanographite. Nanocomposites with different nanographite loadings (0.5%, 1%, 2%) were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, tribological and thermal conductivity test. Results of thermal analysis showed that nanographite somewhat enhanced the thermal stability in comparison with the pure epoxy resin. Compared to pure epoxy resin, the as-prepared nanocomposites exhibited improved thermal, mechanical and wear-resistant performance, which was attributed to the complementary role of mechanical and thermal conductivity of nanographite.