The dispersion of the silica nanoparticles were observed from
the fracture surfaces after impact testing using a field emission
scanning electron microscope (FESEM, Jeol JSM6700F) operated at
5 kV. To evaluate the deformation mechanisms of epoxy/silica
nanocomposites, a small angle X-ray diffractometer, Xeuss 2.0
laboratory beamline from Xenocs with a wavelength of
l(CuKa) ¼ 1.5418 Å, was used to probe the deformation
morphology.