Transparent luminescent hyperbranched epoxy/carbon oxide dot nanocomposites with outstanding toughness and ductility.
A luminescent transparent hyperbranched epoxy nanocomposite with previously unachieved outstanding toughness and elasticity has been created by incorporation of a very small amount of carbon oxide nanodots. The nanocomposites of the hyperbranched epoxy with carbon oxide dots at different dose levels (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 wt %) have been prepared by an ex situ solution technique followed by curing with poly(amido-amine) at 100 °C. Different characterizations and evaluations of mechanical and optical properties of the nanocomposites have been performed. The toughness (area under the stress-strain curve) of the pristine system has been improved dramatically by 750% with only 0.5 wt % carbon oxide dots. The tensile strength has been enhanced from 38 to 46 MPa, whereas the elongation at break improved noticeably from 15 to 45%. Excellent adhesive strength combined with transparency and photoluminescent behavior renders these materials highly interesting as functional films in optical devices like light-emitting diodes and UV light detection systems as well as in anticounterfeiting applications.
Advanced Polymer and Nanomaterial Laboratory, Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University , Napaam 784028, Assam, India.
Bibekananda
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Brigitte
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Niranjan
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