Epoxy resins are widely used in various industries due to their excellent mechanical properties and low cost, but they often face challenges such as brittleness.

Recent research aims to develop a toughened epoxy system that maintains strength, heat resistance, and good processing properties.

The study investigates the toughening effects of rubber and thermoplastic particles on epoxy resin to understand their synergistic impact.

Among the systems tested, the EP/PEK-C/CTBN configuration exhibited the highest impact strength, showcasing a unique toughening effect not present in single toughening systems.

The addition of PEK-C increased the flexural strength and modulus of epoxy, while CTBN caused a decrease in these properties due to its flexible segments.

Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that PEK-C improved heat resistance, whereas CTBN reduced it, resulting in a balanced thermal performance in the hybrid system.

To enhance compatibility with epoxy resin, the preparation of nano-MMT involves organic modification of montmorillonite, utilizing intercalation composite technology.

This organic modification transforms the surface properties of MMT from hydrophilic to lipophilic, which is essential for achieving uniform dispersion within the nanocomposite.

FTIR analysis confirms the success of the organic treatment and the stability of the MMT lamellar structure after modification.

The exceptional fracture toughness of nanocomposites is highlighted, revealing that even minor additions of various nanoparticles can significantly improve toughness.

The dielectric properties of the composite samples, including dielectric constant and loss factor, vary with temperature, with organic MMT/EP exhibiting the lowest dielectric constant.

Advancements in characterization techniques, including computer simulations, have enhanced the study of nanodielectric properties, differentiating between ionic and electronic conduction mechanisms.