title: Noncovalently Functionalized Tungsten Disulfide Nanosheets for Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites.
abstract: In the present study, noncovalently functionalized tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanosheets were used as a toughening agent for epoxy nanocomposites. WS2was modified with branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) to increase the degree of interaction of nanosheets with the epoxy matrix and prevent restacking and agglomeration of the sheets in the epoxy matrix. The functionalization of WS2sheets was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The exfoliation of the bulk WS2was confirmed through X-ray diffraction and various microscopic techniques. Epoxy nanocomposites containing up to 1 wt % of WS2-PEI nanosheets were fabricated. They showed a remarkable improvement in fracture toughness (KIC). KICincreased from 0.94 to 1.72 MPa m-1/2for WS2-PEI nanosheet loadings as low as 0.25 wt %. Compressive and flexural properties also showed a significant improvement as incorporation of 0.25 wt % of WS2-PEI nanosheets resulted in 43 and 65% increase in the compressive and flexural strengths of epoxy nanocomposites, respectively, compared with neat epoxy. Thermal stability and thermomechanical properties of the WS2-PEI-modified epoxy also showed a significant improvement. The simultaneous improvement in the mechanical and thermal properties could be attributed to the good dispersion of WS2-PEI nanosheets in the matrix, intrinsic high strength and thermal properties of the nanosheets, and improved interaction of the WS2nanosheets with the epoxy matrix owing to the presence of PEI molecules on the surface of the WS2nanosheets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science , Bengaluru 560012, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Megha
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8550-1581
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sahu
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science , Bengaluru 560012, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Lakshmi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Narashimhan
authors.affiliation: Boeing International Corporation India Private Limited , RMZ Infinity, Tower D, 5th Floor, Old Madras Road, Bengaluru 560001, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Om
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science , Bengaluru 560012, Karnataka, India.|Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, University of South Africa , The Science Campus, Florida Park, Roodepoort, Johannesburg 1710, South Africa.
authors.forename: Ashok M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Raichur
keywords: 2D transition-metal dichalcogenides; fracture toughness; layered nanomaterials; layered tungsten disulfide; polymer nanocomposites; toughening of epoxy