EFFECT OF GRAPHENE NANOPLATELETS FEATURES ON CURE KINETICS OF BENZOXAZINE COMPOSITES

The influence of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) on the cure kinetics and rheokinetics of a benzoxazine resin has been studied. Two types of thermally reduced graphene oxide nanoplatelets with different thickness, lateral dimension and purity degree were used to reinforce the benzoxazine matrix. The kinetic and rheokinetic studies reveal that the addition of graphene has a catalytic effect in the cure reaction of the resin, decreasing the peak temperature, activation energy and gel time, and increasing the reaction rate constant k. Despite the different morphological features of the two types of graphene used, no significant differences have been observed in benzoxazine nanocomposites with the same content of GNPs.