In this study, flooring grade epoxy/nanoSiO2 nanocomposites were prepared by in-situ polymerization method. Nano silica was treated by coupling agent in order to surface treating and introducing of reactive functional groups to achieving adequate bonding between polar inorganic nano particles and epoxy organic polymer. γ-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (Amino A-100) was used as an effective and commercially available coupling agent and nano silica treated in acetone media. SEM observations of cured samples revealed that the nano silica was completely dispersed into polymer matrix into nanoscale particles. Thermal and physical properties of prepared samples were investigated and data showed improvements in physical and mechanical properties of the flooring samples in comparison with unfilled resin.

Nikjea, M., Khanmohammadi, M., Garmarudi, A & Haghshenas, M. (2012). Nanosilica reinforced epoxy floor coating composites: preparation and thermophysical characterization.Current Chemistry Letters, 1(1), 13-20.

1.Cheng K.C., Lai K.C., and Chiu W. J. J. (1999) Kinetic approach for epoxy resins cured with diaminodiphenyl sulfone under non-isothermal conditions. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 71, 721-728.

2.May C.A. (1998) Epoxy Resins: Chemistry and Technology. 2nd ed., Marcel Dekker, New York, USA.

3.Lee H., and Nevellie K. (1967) Handbook of Epoxy Resin. McGraw-Hill, New York, USA.

4.Sun Y., Zhang Z., Moon K. S., and Wong C. P. (2004) Glass transition and relaxation behavior of epoxy nanocomposites. J. Polym. Sci. Pol. Phys., 42, 3848-3858.

5.Cheng K.C. (1998) Kinetic model of diepoxides with reactive diluents cured with amines. J. Polym. Sci. Pol. Phys., 36, 2339-2348.

6.Startsev O.V., Krotov A. S., and Startseva L. T. (1998) Interlayer shear strength of polymer composite materials during long term climatic ageing. Polym. Degrad. Stabil., 2, 183-186.

7.Lee J. R., Park S. J., Seo M. K., Baik Y. K., and Lee S. K. (2006) A study on physicochemical properties of epoxy coating system for nuclear power plants. Nucl. Eng. Des., 236, 931-937.

8.Sarathi R., Sahu R. K., and Rajeshkumar P. (2007) Understanding the thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of epoxy nanocomposites. Mat. Sci. Eng. A-Struct., 445-446, 567-578.

9.Theodore M., Hosur M., Thomas J., and Jeelani S. (2010) Influence of functionalization on properties of MWCNT–epoxy nanocomposites. Mat. Sci. Eng. A-Struct., 528, 1192-1200.

10.Mahrholz T., Stängle J., and Sinapius M. (2009) Quantitation of the reinforcement effect of silica nanoparticles in epoxy resins used in liquid composite moulding processes. Compos. Part A-Appl. S., 40, 235-243.

11.Verónica P. S., and José M. M. M. (2006) Influence of the curing temperature in the mechanical and thermal properties of nanosilica filled epoxy resin coating. Macromol. Symp., 233, 137-146.

12.Ratna D., and Toughened F. R. P. (2008) Toughened FRP composites reinforced with glass and carbon fiber. Compos. Part A-Appl. S., 39, 462-469.

13.Johnsen B. B., Kinloch A. J., Mohammed R. D., Taylor A. C., and Springer S. (2007) Toughening mechanisms of nanoparticle-modified epoxy polymers. Polymer, 48, 530-541.

14.Songwei C, Bo Y., Shuxue Z., and Limin W. (2009) Preparation and characterization of scratch and mar resistant waterborne epoxy/silica nanocomposite clearcoat. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 112 (6), 3634-3639.

15.Guang C. H, and Jong K. L. (2010) Isothermal cure characterization of fumed silica/epoxy nanocomposites: The glass transition temperature and conversion. Compos. Part A-Appl. S., 41(4), 473-479.

16.Jia L. T., Hung H., and Yi L. C. (2010) Investigating mechanical behaviors of silica nanoparticle reinforced composites. J. Compos. Mater., 44 (4), 505-524.

17.Charalampos K., Everson K., and Baljinder K. K. (2011) The effect of nanoparticles on structural morphology, thermal and flammability properties of two epoxy resins with different functionalities. Polym. Degrad. Stabil., 96 (4), 529-540.

18.Pascual S. V., Barrientos, R. S., Martín, M., and José M. (2010) Comparative study of the effect of addition of silica and silicate nanofillers on the properties of epoxy coatings. Compos. Interface, 17 (5-7), 513-532.

19.Miyagawa H., Rich M. J., and Drzal L.T. (2004) Thermophysical properties of anhydride-cured epoxy/nano-clay composites. Polym. Composite, 26, 42-51.

20.Yaping Z., Aibo Z., Qinghua C., Jiaoxia Z., and Rongchang N. (2006) Functionalized effect on carbon nanotube/epoxy nano-composites. Mat. Sci. Eng. A-Struct., 435, 145-149.

21.Kinloch A. J., and Taylor A. C. (2003) Mechanical and fracture properties of epoxy/inorganic micro-and nano-composites. J. Mater. Sci. Lett., 22, 1439-1441.

22.Zhu Z., Peng H., Rodriguez-Macias F., Margrave J. L., Khabashesku V. N., Imam A. M., Lozano K., and Barrera E.V. (2004) Reinforcing epoxy polymer composites through covalent integration of functionalized nanotubes. Adv. Funct. Mater., 14, 643-647.

23.Li X. (1999) Ultrasonic waves in preparing of nanometer SiO2/epoxy nanocomposites. Thermoset Resin, 2, 19-23.

24.Salahuddin N., Moet A., Hiltner A., Baer E. (2002) Nanoscale highly filled epoxy nanocomposite. Eur. Polym. J., 38, 1477-1482.

25.Ng C.B., Schadler L. S., and Siegel R. W. (1999) Synthesis and mechanical properties of TiO2-epoxy nanocomposites. Nanostruct.Mater., 12, 507-510.

26.Wetzel B., Haupert F., and Zhang M. Q. (2003) Epoxy nanocomposites with high mechanical and tribological performance. Compos. Sci. Technol., 63, 2055-2067.

27.Song J. G. (1996) Polymeric nano-metered composites. Mater. Rev., 4, 57-59.

28.Chisholm N., Mahfuz H., Rangari V. K., Ashfaq A., and Jeelani S. (2005) Fabrication and mechanical characterization of carbon/SiC-epoxy nanocomposites. Compos. Struct., 67, 115-124.

29.Zhou Y., Pervin F., Rangari V. K., and Jeelani S. (2006) Fabrication and evaluation of carbon nano fiber filled carbon/epoxy composite. Mat. Sci. Eng. A-Struct., 426, 221-228.

30.Zheng Y. P., Zheng Y., and Ning R. C. (2003) Effects of nanoparticles SiO2 on the performance of nanocomposites. Mater. Lett., 57, 2940-2944.

31.Ding H. Z., and Varlow, B. R. (2004) Effect of nano-fillers on electrical treeing in epoxy resin subjected to AC voltage. Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena, IEEE/CEIDP '04. Annual Report Conference, Publication Date: 17-20 Oct., 332-335, Colorado, USA

32.Kinloch A. J., and Taylor A. C. (2006) The mechanical properties and fracture behaviour of epoxy-inorganic micro- and nano-composites. J. Mater. Sci., 41, 6271-6297.

33.Kansy J., Consolati G., and Dauwem C. (2000) Positronium trapping in free volume of polymers. Radiat. Phys. Chem., 58, 427-431.