Force Field Parameterization and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Epoxy Interaction with Boron Nitride Nanotube Surfaces
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
2022
Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Abstract
Wettability is a key phenomenon in understanding solid-liquid interface behavior in composite materials and is important in the manufacturing of boron nitride nanotube (BNNT)-based composite materials. Wettability is often quantified by calculating the contact angle values of liquid resin droplets on reinforcement surfaces. Determining contact angle values using experimental techniques for nanomaterials like BNNT is challenging and costly. Computational simulations with interface calculation capabilities offer an easier approach to solve this problem. In this study, a molecular dynamics framework is used to determine the contact angle values of various epoxy systems on the BNNT surface. The Interface Force-Field (IFF) was used for this study. Forcefield parameters were developed to describe the interaction of boron (B) atoms, nitrogen (N) atoms, and the pi electrons that dominate the out-of-plane behavior of two-dimensional B-N materials. A single layer BNNT surface was modelled as shown in “Figure 1”. For wetting simulations, the selection of resin system is based on a combination of EPON 862 and EPON 828 monomers with aromatic amine hardeners and aliphatic amine hardeners. The results are dependent on the chemical groups present in the resin system, temperature, and the charges on the atoms in the functional groups. The EPON 828 systems show overall better wettability than EPON 862 systems irrespective of choice of hardener.
Publication Title
Proceedings of the American Society for Composites - 37th Technical Conference, ASC 2022
ISBN
9781605956909
Recommended Citation
Bamane, S.,
Kanhaiya, K.,
Heinz, H.,
&
Odegard, G.
(2022).
Force Field Parameterization and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Epoxy Interaction with Boron Nitride Nanotube Surfaces.
Proceedings of the American Society for Composites - 37th Technical Conference, ASC 2022.
http://doi.org/10.12783/asc37/36444
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/16535