Differential scanning calorimetry investigation on vinyl ester resin curing process for polymer nanocomposite fabrication.

Two different ceramic (cerium oxide and titanium oxide) nanoparticles were introduced into vinyl ester resin for nanocomposite fabrication. The curing process of the vinyl ester resin was investigated by a differential scanning calorimetery (DSC). The incorporation of nanoparticles in the resin affects the curing process due to the physicochemical interaction between the nanoparticles and the polymer matrix. The particle loading has a significant effect on the initial and peak curing temperatures, reaction heat and curing extent. The fully cured vinyl ester resin nanocomposites reinforced with cerium oxide nanoparticles were fabricated after a 24-hour room temperature curing and a one-hour postcuring at 85 degrees C. Particle functionalization favors the composite fabrication with a higher curing extent after room-temperature curing as compared to the as-received nanoparticle filled vinyl ester resin nanocomposites. The nanofiller materials were observed to significantly affect the curing process. In comparison to cerium oxide nanoparticles, titanium oxide nanoparticles prohibit the curing process with a much higher initiating curing temperatures. The fully cured nanocomposites reinforced with titanium oxide nanoparticles were fabricated by one-hour postcuring at 85 degrees C.