Toughening mechanisms of epoxy resin using aminated metal-organic framework as additive

Improvement of the mechanical properties of epoxy resins (EP), which are used as neutron shielding materials for spent nuclear fuel casks, is becoming very important. In this paper, as representative metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), nanosized UiO-66 and UiO-66-NH2 were successfully introduced into epoxy resin (EP) by solution casting approach, afford MOF/EP composites, to enhance the mechanical properties. Results clearly showed that MOFs play a vital role in toughening EP-based nanocomposites, and the functioned amino-groups matter the most. Three underlying toughening mechanisms were proposed, which may provide deep understanding of the structure-activity relationship in MOF/polymer composites for radiation shielding application or other academic research.