Size reduction of WO3 nanoparticles by ultrasound irradiation and its applications in structural nanocomposites

The porous W0 3 (pore size 2-5 nm) nanoparticles were synthesized using a high intensity ultrasound irradiation of commercially available WO 3 nanoparticles (80 nm) in ethanol. The high resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM) and X-ray studies indicated that the 2-5 nm uniform pores have been created in commercially available WO 3 nanoparticles without much changing the initial WO 3 nanoparticles (80 nm) sizes. The nanocomposites of W 03 /SC-15 epoxy were prepared by infusion of 1 wt.%, 2 wt.% and 3 wt.% of porous WO 3 nanoparticles into SC-15 epoxy resin by using a non-contact (Thinky) mixing technique. Finally the neat epoxy and nanocomposites were cured at room temperature for about 24 h in a plastic rectangular mold. The cured epoxy samples were removed and precisely cut into required dimensions and tested for their thermal and mechanical properties. The HRTEM and SEM studies indicated that the sonochemically modified porous WO 3 nanoparticles dispersed more uniformly over the entire volume of the epoxy (without any settlement or agglomeration) as compared to the unmodified WO 3/ epoxy nanocomposites.