Phase-Separation Development Of Polysulfone Nanofibrous Membranes Toughened Epoxy System

Epoxy resin is a kind of important engeneering polymer with good strength and low toughness.Thermoplastic resin has been widely used to toughen epoxy.Electrospun PSF nanofibrous membranes were prepared to toughen TGDDM epoxy resin.The solubility of PSF nanofibrous membranes and films prepared by solvent method in epoxy resin was compared.Phase separation development of nanofibrous membranes toughened epoxy during the curing reaction was monitored by optical microscope(OM),and fracture surface morphology of the cured samples was observed by SEM.The results showed that the solubility of nanofibrous membranes in epoxy was better than that of PSF films.And in the 5 wt%nanofibrous membranes toughened system,in-situ phase separation of PSF was developed,exhibited sea-island structure along the nanofibers axis trace.Modeâ…¡interlaminar fracture toughness(G_â…¡C) and interlaminar shear strength(ILSS)of nanofiber toughened composites were measured,compared to those of PSF film toughened composites.G_â…¡Cincreased 54%,130%and 177%by loading 1 wt%,3 wt%and 5 wt%nanofibers,which was far higher than those of the same content PSF films-toughened composites.The ILSS results also showed revealed good compatibility between nanofibers and epoxy matrix.