Study on the mechanical, electrical and optical properties of metal-oxide nanoparticles dispersed unsaturated polyester resin nanocomposites

Abstract

In this work, unsaturated polyester resin matrix based polymer nanocomposites were fabricated incorporating sol-gel synthesized Fe2O3, TiO2 and co-precipitation synthesized NiFe2O4 nanoparticles. The individual and synergic effect of nanoparticles on mechanical, electrical and optical properties in polymer matrix was evaluated. The maximum improvement in tensile strength (21.62%), Young’s modulus (6.56%) and Vickers microhardness number was found in NiFe2O4 loaded nanocomposite. Both the highest DC electrical conductivity and the lowest resistivity were found in (Fe2O3 + TiO2 + NiFe2O4) nanoparticles dispersed nanocomposite. The maximum improvement in light absorbance (30.38%) in UV–Vis range was found in Fe2O3 incorporated nanocomposite as well as the lowest (18.96%) optical energy band gap was found in NiFe2O4 nanoparticles dispersed nanocomposite. These nanocomposites may find its potential use in industrial sectors as well as in light shielding applications. Keywords: Unsaturated polyester resin, Inorganic nanoparticles, Polymer nanocomposites, Mechanical, electrical and optical properties, Fe2O3, TiO2, NiFe2O4 nanoparticle