The effect of cross-linker structure on interfacial interactions, polymer dynamics and network composition in an epoxy-amine resin

Understanding interactions at the polymer / metal oxide interface is central to improving performance lifetime of corrosion resistant coatings, where network polymers commonly form via step growth mechanisms in presence pigments. Here we employ a holistic analytical approach encompassing ATR-FTIR, DSC and molecular dynamics simulations consider how crosslinker structure affects adsorption incorporation into network, using stoichiometric mixture diglycidylether bisphenol-A (DGEBA) with m-xylylenediamine (MXDA) cured hematite (Fe2O3) goethite (FeOOH) powders. We find that rigid MXDA molecule has two distinct binding modes on both goethite, synergistic hydrogen bonding observed limit interconversion between two. Moreover, persists fully composite samples, determining levels residual amine. In contrast previously reported results triethylenetetramine (TETA) crosslinkers, however, Tg specimens independent added volumes. Molecular demonstrate this due electrostatic cationic Fe sites electronegative heteroatoms MXDA. This renders amine functionalities unavailable for hence, unlike TETA, does not determine dynamics.