Effect of thermal cycling and ultraviolet irradiation on epoxy polymers: the role of graphene filler

Authors

  • Irina N. Parkhomenko Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Liudmila A. Vlasukova Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Ivan D. Parfimovich A. N. Sevchenko Institute of Applied Physics Problems, Belarusian State University, 7 Kurchatava Street, Minsk 220045, Belarus
  • Alexander S. Kamyshan A. N. Sevchenko Institute of Applied Physics Problems, Belarusian State University, 7 Kurchatava Street, Minsk 220045, Belarus

Keywords:

epoxy polymer, graphene, thermal cycling, ultraviolet irradiation, optical spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy
Supporting Agencies
This work was carried out within the framework of the state programme of scientific research «Convergence-2025» (assignment 3.07.1.2, state registration No. 20211910, and assignment 3.07.1, state registration No. 20211235).

Abstract

To evaluate the influence of near-Earth orbit factors on the structural features of epoxy polymer with graphene filler the effect of combined thermal cycling and ultraviolet irradiation under vacuum conditions (pressure 2 ⋅ 10– 4 Pa, temperature range from 15 to 160 °C; 4 and 10 thermal exposure cycles) on epoxy polymers based on ED-20 resin and amine hardener «Etal-45M» was studied. Two types of cured polymer samples (an unmodified polymer and a composite containing 1 wt. % graphene nanoplatelets) are considered. Optical and infrared spectroscopy in reflection mode was applied to record spectra from both the face (irradiated) and back surface of samples. A combined analysis of spectral and morphological data allowed to identify characteristic markers of polymer degradation, densification and structural modification induced by thermal cycling and ultraviolet irradiation. It was found that the unmodified polymer exhibits signs of degradation at the early stage of thermal cycling (4 cycles), whereas prolonged treatment (10 cycles) results in post-curing and structural stabilisation. The introduction of graphene enhances structural stability at the early stage, but with increasing number of cycles it initiates destructive processes on the surface of the sample due to interfacial interactions and localised absorption of ultraviolet radiation. The obtained results can be applied to the development of polymer composites for aerospace applications and to the assessing their durability.

Author Biographies

  • Irina N. Parkhomenko, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    PhD (physics and mathematics); leading researcher at the laboratory of materials and device structures for micro- and nanoelectronics, department of physical electronics and nanotechnologies, faculty of radiophysics and computer technologies

  • Liudmila A. Vlasukova, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    PhD (physics and mathematics); head of the laboratory of materials and device structures for micro- and nanoelectronics, department of physical electronics and nanotechnologies, faculty of radiophysics and computer technologies

  • Ivan D. Parfimovich, A. N. Sevchenko Institute of Applied Physics Problems, Belarusian State University, 7 Kurchatava Street, Minsk 220045, Belarus

    PhD (physics and mathematics); leading researcher at the laboratory of elionics

  • Alexander S. Kamyshan, A. N. Sevchenko Institute of Applied Physics Problems, Belarusian State University, 7 Kurchatava Street, Minsk 220045, Belarus

    PhD (physics and mathematics); leading researcher at the laboratory of elionics

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Published

2026-04-06

Issue

No. 1 (2026): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Physics

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Condensed State Physics

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How to Cite

(1)
Parkhomenko, I. N.; Vlasukova, L.; Parfimovich, I. D.; Kamyshan, A. S. Effect of Thermal Cycling and Ultraviolet Irradiation on Epoxy Polymers: The Role of Graphene Filler. Журнал Белорусского государственного университета. Физика 2026, No. 1, 53-63. https://doi.org/10.33581/2520-2243-2026-1-%p.
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