Micromechanical response of two-dimensional transition metal carbonitride (MXene) reinforced epoxy composites

Abstract MXenes have attracted much attention as fillers in polymer composites due to their superior electrical and mechanical properties making them ideal for creating multifunctional composites. In this work, Ti3CN-epoxy composites were prepared via solvent processing and cured with amine-based hardener. The effects of Ti3CN content in the epoxy system on the thermal degradation behavior and micromechanical properties were investigated. The extent of intercalation of epoxy between MXene flakes was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Nanoindentation analysis of MXene-epoxy composites exhibited improved mechanical properties with increasing MXene content with highest increase to 12.8 GPa Young's modulus for 90 wt% Ti3CN. An increase in creep resistance of composites was observed at maximum loading of Ti3CN by 46% compared to neat epoxy.