| dc.description.abstract | As a part of a larger effort towards the fundamental understanding of structureproperty
relationship in nanoplatelet-reinforced polymer nanocomposites, a set of model
epoxy systems containing α-Zirconium Phosphate (α-ZrP) have been prepared and
studied in this dissertation. A new surface modification approach, i.e., the porous
pathway approach, for improving intercalation efficiency and exfoliation of layered
nanoplatelets has been proposed and the effectiveness has been demonstrated. In order to
clearly understand the roles of nanofillers and the effects of their geometric factors on
the physical and mechanical properties of nanocomposites, variables such as
nanoplatelet loading level, degree of exfoliation, and aspect ratio have been carefully
controlled in the epoxy matrices. Morphological information of the prepared
nanocomposites was unambiguously confirmed by carrying out X-ray diffraction and
transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Tensile and thermo-mechanical properties of
the model epoxy/α-ZrP nanocomposites have been investigated. Furthermore, fracture
behavior of the model nanocomposites is examined in this study. This work has
enhanced the understanding of the effects of nanoplatelet, i.e., loading level, degree of exfoliation, aspect ratio, and the type of surface modifiers, on the mechanical properties
and fracture behavior of polymer nanocomposites. | en |
