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Abstract
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A novel epoxy resin nanocomposite containing epoxidized novolac (ENR) and epoxidized polystyrene (EPSt) was fabricated
through the curing with amine-functionalized multiple-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs–NH2). The chemical structures
of the synthesized samples were characterized using Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H
NMR) spectroscopies. The composition of ENR:EPSt:MWCNTs–NH2 nanocomposite was set as 75:20:5 wt%. The morphology
and thermal stability of the fabricated nanocomposite were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and
thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The SEM image revealed that the modified MWCNTs are well dispersed in the
ENR–EPSt matrix without any agglomeration. The curing temperatures of the ENR, ENR–EPSt, and ENR–EPSt/MWCNTs
nanocomposite were investigated using differential scanning calorimetric analysis. According to thermal property studies
results, the addition of PSt as well as curing of mixture using amine-functionalized MWCNTs has synergistic effect on the
thermal stability of the ENR resin.
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