Effect of Surface Modification of Nanosilica on the Mechanichal Properties of Unsaturated Polyester (UP)/Silica Nanocomposites

In this study, influence of surface modification of nanosilica on the mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester based nanocomposite was investigated. Silica nanoparticles weremodified by propylene glycol and maleic anhydride. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the coupling molecule on the surface of modified SiO2 nanoparticles. Unsaturated polyester/SiO2 nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization method andmechanical properties of both modified and unmodified nanocomposite samples were compared and discussed. The results showed that surface modification of SiO2 nanoparticlesimproves mechanical properties of samples, and the amount of SiO2 nanoparticles has influence on the mechanical properties of unsaturated polester/SiO2 nanocomposites

Keywords:

Nanocomposite , Nanosilica , Surface modification , Unsaturated polyester , Mechanical properties