One-step generation of silica particles onto graphene oxide sheets for superior mechanical properties of epoxy composite and scale application

The one-step generation of nano-silica (SiO2) on graphene oxide (GO) surface via using diethylenetriamine (DETA) and ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) base catalysts was respectively designed to improve the dispersion and interfacial interaction between GO and epoxy resin. The structures and morphologies of GO, GO-SiO2(i) and GO-SiO2(ii) sheets were tested by FT-IR, XRD, XPS, TG, SEM and TEM. Epoxy composites containing GO, SiO2, GO-SiO2(i) and GO-SiO2(ii) with 0.1 wt% loadings were prepared and systemically investigated. It was indicated that the GO-SiO2/epoxy composites displayed higher tensile, flexural and impact strength and modulus than that of GO composites. For epoxy composites containing 0.1 wt% GO-SiO2(i) and GO-SiO2(ii), the flexural strength increased by 34.35% and 25.08% compared to that of GO composites, respectively. Furthermore, the reinforcing mechanisms have been also illuminated. This work is expected to offer a potential scale application of high-performance nanocomposites.