Enhancing Epoxy Polymer Composites with Mxene Nanosheets for Improved Thermal Performance

Thermosetting epoxy polymers are widely employed as matrices for fabricating fibre-reinforced composites due to their exceptional strength and stiffness. However, the inherent brittleness of epoxy and its generally low fracture toughness impose limitations on their utilization in high-end applications. To address this challenge, the incorporation of micro-and nanoscale fillers emerges as a promising strategy for enhancing the durability of epoxy. MXene belonging to a versatile family of 2D transition-metal carbides, carbonitrides, and nitrides, offer superior physical and mechanical characteristics, making them ideal candidates for creating multifunctional polymer nanocomposites. In this study, MXene nanosheets (specifically Ti 3 C 2 T x ) were introduced at concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 0.5% by weight, and their dispersion in the epoxy-hardener mixture was achieved through ultrasonication. Remarkably, the incorporation of 0.5 wt. % MXene led to an 8°C increase in the glass transition (Tg) temperature and a 5°C elevation in the crystallisation temperature at 0.3 wt. % loadings. However, at higher MXene concentrations, these values exhibited a decrease. Overall, the mechanical characteristics of the nanocomposites demonstrated improvement. This enhancement is attributed to the effective distribution of MXene within the epoxy matrix, contributing to an overall enhancement of the material's properties.