%0 Journal Article
%T Constructing Novel Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Composites through a Biomimetic Approach: Connecting Glass Fiber with Nanosized Boron Nitride by Polydopamine Coating
%A XueMei Wen
%A ZaoZao Xiao
%A Tao Jiang
%A Jian Li
%A Wei Zhang
%A Lei Zhang
%A Huaiqi Shao
%J Journal of Nanomaterials
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/470583
%X A biomimetic method was developed to construct novel fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) composites. By mimicking mussel adhesive proteins, a monolayer of polydopamine was coated on glass fiber (GF) surface. The polydopamine-treated GF (D-GF) adsorbed boron nitride (BN) nanoparticles, while obtaining micronano multiscale hybrid fillers BN-D-GF. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that the strong interfacial interaction brought by the polydopamine benefits the loading amount as well as dispersion of the nano-BN on GF¡¯s surface. The BN-D-GF was incorporated into epoxy resin to construct ¡°FRP nanocomposites.¡± The morphology, dynamic mechanical and thermal characteristics of the FRP nanocomposites were analyzed. SEM morphology revealed that BN-D-GF heterogeneous dispersed in epoxy matrix. There was good adhesion between the polymer matrix and the BN-D-GF filler. The dynamic modulus and mechanical loss were studied using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Compared with neat epoxy and untreated GF reinforced composites, BN-D-GF/epoxy and D-GF/epoxy systems showed improved mechanical properties. The thermal conductivity, Shore D hardness, and insulation properties were also enhanced. 1. Introduction Epoxy resins are a class of high performance thermosetting polymers for application in the automotive, construction, and aerospace industries. High specific stiffness, dimensional stability, lightweight, high corrosion resistance, and excellent insulating properties make them valuable in many electrical research areas, especially for insulated packing [1¨C3]. Recently, using epoxy resin as the matrix for fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) composites has been increased significantly [4¨C6]. The FRP composites are considered as ideal candidates for academic research as well as industry applications because of their improved physical/chemical properties. Glass fiber (GF) is usually used for preparing large varieties of FRP composites [7]. The principal advantages of GF are low cost, high strength, and modulus. For FRP composites, the extent of adhesion of polymer matrix to the reinforcing fibers is very important. It is well known that stress passes from the fibers to the matrix through the interface. Therefore, the adhesive force affects the strength and rigidity of the reinforced plastics and their fracture behavior [8]. In order to enhance affinity between GF and polymer matrix, modification of the GF surface can be done by (a) coating fiber with a silane with reactive end groups [9], (b) coating fiber with a rubber emulsion [10], (c) coating fiber with a
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jnm/2013/470583/