Silane coupling agent for enhanced epoxy-iron oxide nanocomposite

In this study, silane-treated Fe2O3 nanoparticles were successfully prepared using (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES). The chemical structure and morphology of the obtained nanoparticles were investigated by several analysis techniques including FTIR, XRD, TEM and DLS. Both of untreated Fe2O3 (IO) and silane-treated Fe2O3 (SIO) nanoparticles were used in the preparation of epoxy nanocomposites with 5% by weight fraction. FTIR and XRD approved that SIO was successfully prepared with highly crystalline structure. TEM and DLS indicated the good dispersion of treated nanoparticles in the nanocomposite matrix, also the average particle size of nanofiller decreased to ∼200 nm after silane treatment. The dynamic properties for the prepared nanocomposites were studied using DMA and confirmed by nanoindentation technique. The results indicated that silane-treated nanoparticles can improve the hardness and Tg by 87.5% and 5 °C respectively at 5% weight fraction.