The effective reinforcements of functionalized MoS2 nanosheets in polymer hybrid composites by sol-gel technique

Published Date
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
March 2017, Vol.94:1–9, doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2016.12.010

Author 

• Keqing Zhou ^a,,
• Rui Gao ^a
• Zhou Gui ^b
• Yuan Hu ^b

• aFaculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, PR China
• bState Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui 230026, PR China

Received 17 July 2016. Revised 6 December 2016. Accepted 9 December 2016. Available online 10 December 2016. 

Abstract

In this work, siloxane group was grafted on the surface of exfoliated MoS₂ nanosheets by chemical conjugation with 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane and then the functionalized MoS₂ was incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix as reinforcements using sol-gel technique. The results of FTIR, TGA, XPS and TEM indicated that 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane was successfully grafted onto the surface of exfoliated MoS₂ nanosheets. The functionalized MoS₂ was well dispersed in PVA and no obvious aggregation of MoS₂ nanosheets was observed. The incorporation of functionalized MoS₂ nanosheets significantly enhanced the thermal properties, flame retardancy and mechanical properties of PVA films. The half weight loss degradation temperature of PVA films was increased from 298 to 416 °C and a 12 °C increment in the glass transition temperature was achieved with only 1.0 wt% functionalized MoS₂. Furthermore, the peak heat release rate and the tensile strength of PVA films was decreased by 52.5% and improved by 98.4%, respectively, compared to that of neat PVA. These excellent reinforcements were mainly attributed to well dispersion of MoS₂ nanosheets in the polymer matrix and strong interfacial adhesion between the two components. This work demonstrated herein will provide a promising route to fabricate MoS₂-based polymer nanocomposites with excellent performances.

Keywords

MoS₂

Functionalized

Sol-gel method

Polymer nanocomposites

Reinforcement effect

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