TGA, DSC, DTG properties of epoxy polymer nanocomposites by adding Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study, the thermal analysis methods reported for the characterization of epoxy/h-BN nanocomposites were conducted using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). A thermosetting epoxy resin was mixed with a different weight percent of hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanoparticles (BNNPs) to prepare epoxy nanocomposites. Study of non-isothermal kinetics decomposition of epoxy and epoxy/BNNPs nanocomposites were carried out by utilizing Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The samples were heated from room temperature to 600°C at a constant heating rate of 10°C/min under oxidative atmosphere using air. TGA and DTG curves obtained from the decomposition were analyzed using the Coast-Redfern method. Kinetic parameters were determined for all specimens that show a good correlation with the linear correlation coefficient. Where Coats and Redfern procedure was the best to result in good estimates of the kinetic parameters.