Control of curing kinetic and strong interaction between resins network and boehmite nanoparticles: Dynamic‐mechanical and curing kinetics study

Abstract In this study, two characteristics of boehmite nanoparticles (BNs) were used to improve the dynamic‐mechanical properties of pure unsaturated polyester resin (Neat UP). (1) Boehmite's ability to target free radical control in the radical curing reaction of UP resin, and (2) adsorption of alkyd chains and creation of attractive interactions with the resin network. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis were used to identify the synthesis of particles. The results of FESEM analysis showed that the average particle size was 80–100 nm. TGA was used to investigate the thermal properties of the Neat UP and UP resin containing 0.3 wt% BNs (UP 0.3 BNs). The results of the dynamic‐mechanical analysis showed that the elastic modulus of the UP 0.3 BNs composite increased by 42% compared to the Neat UP. To investigate the significant increase observed in the dynamic‐mechanical properties, the curing kinetics were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Investigating the activation energy in terms of the conversion degree showed earlier dominance of the diffusion phenomenon in the UP 0.3 BNs composite. Investigating the diffusion factors provided by Vyazovkin–Sbirrazzouli showed a significant decrease in K and E_D in the UP 0.3 BNs composite (−10.5, 19 kJ/mol) compared to the Neat UP resin (−9.5, 40 kJ/mol). Highlights Targeted control of free radicals increases network regularity of the UP/BNs. Impressive improvement of mechanical properties of UP/BNs compared to Neat UP. Increasing diffusion phenomenon dominance of UP/BNs system compared to Neat UP.