Effects of dispersion and interfacial modification on the macroscale properties of TiO2 polymer-matrix nanocomposites

Lesley M. Hamming*, Rui Qiao, Phillip B. Messersmith, L. Catherine Brinson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

145 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper quantifies how the quality of dispersion and the quality of the interfacial interaction between TiO2 nanoparticles and host polymer independently affect benchmark properties such as glass transition temperature (Tg), elastic modulus and loss modulus. By examining these composites with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we demonstrate changes in properties depending on the adhesive/wetting or repulsive/dewetting interactions the nanoparticles have with the bulk polymer. We further quantify the dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) matrices by a digital-optical method and correlate those values to the degree of Tg depression compared to neat PMMA. Samples with the same weight percent of nanoparticles but better dispersion show larger shifts in Tg.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1880-1886
Number of pages7
JournalComposites Science and Technology
Volume69
Issue number11-12
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2009

Keywords

  • A. Nanocomposites
  • A. Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
  • B. Interphase
  • B. Thermomechanical properties

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Engineering(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of dispersion and interfacial modification on the macroscale properties of TiO2 polymer-matrix nanocomposites'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this