Understanding the Static Interfacial Polymer Layer by Exploring the Dispersion States of Nanocomposites.

ABSTRACT: The dynamic and static properties of the interfacial region between polymer and nanoparticles have wide-ranging consequences on performances of nanomaterials. The thickness and density of the static layer are particularly difficult to assess experimentally due to superimposing nanoparticle interactions. Here, we tune the dispersion of silica nanoparticles in nanocomposites by preadsorption of polymer layers in the precursor solutions, and by varying the molecular weight of the matrix chains. Nanocomposite structures ranging from ideal dispersion to repulsive order or various degrees of aggregation are generated and observed by small-angle scattering. Preadsorbed chains are found to promote ideal dispersion, before desorption in the late stages of nanocomposite formation. The microstructure

SUBMITTER: Genix AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6998785 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature