Study on the modification of hexamethylenediamine-phenol-based polybenzoxazine resins by halloysite nanotubes
In this study, hexamethylenediamine-phenol-based benzoxazine monomer (Ba-h) was synthesized using 1,6-hexamethylenediamine, phenol, and paraformaldehyde. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were treated with silane coupling agent and succinic anhydride, respectively. Then the pristine and grafted HNTs were used as nano-fillers to modify Ba-h at different mass ratios ranging between 0 and 2.5 wt% via solution processing. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the molecular structure of the monomer. The curing behaviors of the nanocomposites were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results of DSC, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis displayed the obvious improvement in the thermal stability of the nanocomposites modified by the grafted HNTs. The results of impact and flexural tests revealed the improvement in the mechanical property of the nanocomposites modified by the pristine HNTs. These enhancements are related to the homogeneous dispersion of HNTs based on the scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy results.