Enhanced flexible and tribological properties of epoxy resin with polyethylene glycol and hydroxylated boron nitride nanosheets

Epoxy resin (EP) has been considered predominant polymer protective film because of high thermal stability and chemical stability. However, the intrinsic brittleness and poor tribological properties significantly limited extensive application. Herein, polyethylene glycol (PEG) flexible chains and inorganic nanofillers hydroxylated boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS-OH) were introduced to EP matrix in order to improve the performance. The effect of introducing PEG and BNNS-OH on flexibility, thermal conductivity, tribological behaviors of EP were explored. The results demonstrated that EP/PEG composite film exhibited flexibility at PEG additive concentration of 30 wt%. The flexibility was maintained even though adding rigid filler BNNS-OH. The thermal conductivity of EP/PEG/BNNS-OH was increased by 57 % at BNNS-OH additive concentration of 5 wt%. The result of tribological tests revealed EP/PEG/BNNS-OH exhibited outstanding tribological properties. This work offers novel thought for development with flexible, high thermal conductivity and outstanding tribological polymer-based composites.