Comparing the Effects of ZnO and ZrO2 Nanomaterials on the Mechanical, Chemical, and Crystalline Properties of Epoxy Resin (DGEBA)

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This research paper presents a comparative experimental study on the impact of zinc oxide and zirconium dioxide nanomaterials on the chemical, mechanical, and crystalline properties of epoxy resin (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A).Nanomaterials were incorporated into the epoxy resin at three different concentrations (4%, 6%, and 8%) by weight.Results indicated enhanced properties of the epoxy resin, including tensile and compressive strengths, as well as improvements in chemical and crystalline characteristics, assessed through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).Notably, zirconium dioxide exhibited superior performance across all properties, enhancing tensile and compressive strengths by 67% and 50%, respectively.Zinc oxide, at the same concentrations, led to a 50% increase in tensile strength and a 40% increase in compressive strength.These outcomes were observed at the highest concentration (8%wt) of both nanomaterials and the pure epoxy resin.The presence of nanomaterials at this ratio promoted greater cohesion within the composite, as evidenced by SEM images of selected samples.SEM analysis highlighted the pivotal role of ZrO2 nanoparticles in improving epoxy integration, surface quality, crystallization, and imperfection removal, crucial factors for enhancing composite materials.FTIR analysis of the resin containing ZrO2 nanoparticles revealed shifts and alterations in peaks, indicating successful nanoparticle-epoxy interaction, resulting in notable structural changes.