Epoxy-Graphene UV-cured nanocomposites

This work presents the preparation of functionalized graphene sheets (FGS)/epoxy coatings cured by cationic photopolymerization with enhanced mechanical properties. The kinetics of the photopolymerization process for formulations up to 1.5 wt% of graphene were evaluated by means of Real-Time FTIR spectroscopy. The reinforcement of the cured coatings by the graphene was studied by measuring the dynamic-mechanical properties and the surface hardness. An increase of almost 40 °C in the Tg was obtained by adding 1.5 wt% of graphene to the epoxy matrix. A good dispersion state and interaction of the graphene with the matrix were observed by TEM and FESEM analyses.