Chemically activated core–shell structured IF-WS2@C nanoparticles enhance sugarcane-based carbon/epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract

Ternary composites have demonstrated better capability than binary composites in enhancing the mechanical properties of the modified epoxy resins and are, therefore, currently under intensive investigation. Herein, we report a novel ternary nanocomposite prepared by filling a binary BPF (bisphenol F epoxy resin)/SCPs (sugarcane-based carbon powders) matrix with C-coated inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide (IF-WS₂@C) nanoparticles, and the analysis of its interface synergetic effect using XPS/FTIR. This activated nano-carbon core–shell structure filler is considered an ideal nanofiller and shows the excellent mechanical performance of the ternary composites. XRD, IR, XPS, SEM, and TEM characterizations were applied in investigating this nanocomposite. The improvement of the thermal and mechanical properties demonstrated the enhancement effects of this nanofiller. The results show that the great improvement of the bending modulus of 39.4% increased with the addition of 0.5 wt% IF-WS₂@C nanoparticles, while 34.1% enhancement of bending strength was obtained with the addition of 0.2 wt% IF-WS₂@C nanoparticles. The hardness and thermal conductivity were also boosted up to 5.2% and 33.1% with 0.5 wt% addition, respectively. The incorporation of a chemically activated coating may provide a novel means for improving graphite crystallization, which could somehow expand the potential application of IF-WS₂@C nanoparticles.