Surface modification and characterization of carbon black; UV cured colored epoxy composites

Carbon Black is inexpensive widely used industrial filler, but its dispersability in solvents/polymeric media has always been a critical point. As a result either surfactants or higher mechanical forces have been utilized to disperse it well in the media. First part of research was aimed at surface modification of CB to increase its dispersability in different solvents and epoxy that directly effects filler-medium interactions. Type and magnitude of this interaction differs with structure and surface chemistry of filler, and this determines the ultimate properties of the composites. For CB surface modification Thermal and photochemical procedures have been implemented. Excellent results regarding surface modification and dispersability have been achieved. Utilization of light, as a substitute of heat, for nanocomposite synthesis, has a foundation on photochemical reaction. Liquid monomers/oligomers are jumbled with a minute percent of photoinitiator, and then exposed to UV light. In a few seconds, the products inks, coatings or adhesives solidify. UV curing of colored composites has always been challenging because of light attenuation problems through colored composite samples; this results in incomplete polymerization. Second part of research was connected with UV-curing of colored epoxy composites. Certain techniques have been utilized, to photo-cure colored epoxy composites either in micron sized thin layers or outsized thick samples. Implementation of a unique method “Smart Approach” to photo-cure thick colored epoxy composites has fabricated promising results regarding polymerization kinetics and thermal / mechanical properties.