Rheology and Processing of Polymer Nanocomposites

Sabu Thomas, Rene Muller, Jiji Abraham, Sabu Thomas, Rene Muller, Jiji Abraham

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN:
  9781118969793
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781118969816
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Physics
• Index: Physics

Rheology and Processing of Polymer Nanocomposites examines the current state of the art and new challenges in the characterization of nanofiller/polymer interactions, nanofiller dispersion, distribution, filler-filler interactions and interfaces in polymer nanocomposites.

A one-stop reference resource for important research accomplishments in this area, it benefits academics, researchers, scientists, and engineers in the field of polymer nanocomposites in their daily work.

Chapter 1
Materials for Polymer Nanocomposites

Jiji Abraham

International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

Soney C. George

Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kanjirappally, Kerala, India

Rene Muller

Rheology and Polymer Processing, Institut Charles Sadron, Strasbourg, France

Nandakumar Kalarikkal

International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India; School of Pure and Applied Physics, M.G University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

Sabu Thomas

International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India; School of Chemical Science, M.G University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

1.1 Introduction

Nanotechnology is technology concerning processes that are relevant to physics, chemistry, and biology taking place at a length scale of 1 divided by 1000 million of a meter [1]. Nanotechnology is a fast growing field concentrated on the invention of functional materials, smart devices and systems by controlling matter on the nanometer scale and the exploitation of novel phenomena and properties at that length scale [2]. Nanotechnology is so important because it is relatively cheap, safe, and clean and the financial rewards are relatively very high [3]. Significant investments by industry, academia and government are being made with the hope that advances in nanotechnology will have an intense and positive effect on our lives [4].

Nanostructured materials are materials with a microstructure and the characteristic length scale of which is on the order of a few nanometers. They have attracted great interest in recent years because of the unusual mechanical, electrical and optical properties by the combination of bulk and surface properties with the overall behavior.

The field of nanotechnology obviously refers to polymer science and technology, which includes polymer-based biomaterials, nanoparticle drug delivery, miniemulsion particles, fuel cell electrode, polymer-bound catalysts, layer-by-layer self-assembled polymer films, electrospun nanofibers, imprint lithography, polymer blends, and nanocomposites. In the field of nanocomposites, polymer matrix-based nanocomposites have become a prominent area of current research and development in the field of nanotechnology [5]. Polymer nanocomposites are polymer matrix composites in which the fillers are less than 100 nm in at least one dimension. When incorporating fillers with polymers, the beneficial features of both can be combined. The beneficial features that can be contributed from the reinforcing filler include mechanical strength; chemical and thermal stability; and electrical, ferroelectric, magnetic, and diverse optical properties. Apart from their improved properties, these nanocomposite materials are also easily extruded or molded to near-final shape, simplifying their manufacturing. This lightweight advantage could have significant impact on environmental concerns and other potential benefits. From the beginning of polymer chemistry, the technique of incorporating microfillers into the polymer matrix is used. The quality of traditional composite materials is not comparable to recent nanocomposite materials because of the poor dispersion and poor interaction between microfiller and polymer matrix.

The interest in polymer nanocomposites has emerged for several reasons. First, nanoscale fillers often have properties that are different from the bulk properties of the same material [6]. Owing to the small size of nanofillers in comparison to microfillers, early failure can be prevented, leading to nanocomposites with enhanced ductility and toughness [7, 8]. It has also been shown that nanoparticles can increase the electrical breakdown strength [9] and have small optical scattering defects [10] due to their small size. Owing to the large surface area of the fillers, nanocomposites have a large volume of interfacial matrix material with properties different from the bulk polymer [11, 12].

This chapter focuses on the materials for the polymer nanocomposite in detail. The state of the art, new challenges, and opportunities in the area of polymer nanocomposite systems will be discussed in this chapter. The recent developments in the area of polymer nanocomposites will be highlighted. The various unresolved issues and new challenges in polymer nanocomposites will also be discussed.

1.2 Nanocomposite Framework

The composite is a material that is formed from two or more components according to the end application and desired properties. The first component is called the matrix, which can be metallic, polymeric, or ceramic. It controls the major properties of the composite, holds the filler materials, protects fillers from the surrounding environment and transfers load to the fillers. The second component is the reinforcement material, which is usually added in small amounts compared to the weight of the whole mixture. Reinforcement can be of different forms such as particles, fibers, filler, flake, and lamina. The properties of the composite are closely related to concentration; distribution; orientation; and the nature, size, and shape of reinforcements [13].

1.2.1 Nanoscale Fillers

By scaling the particle size down to the nanometer scale, it has been shown that novel material properties can be obtained. Nanoparticles are materials of two or more dimensions, with size in the range of 1–100 nm. Nanoparticles show unique size-dependent physical and chemical properties: the chemical composition and the shape of a nanoparticle also influence its specific properties. Nanoparticles can thus be classified based on dimension, source, chemical nature, size, shape, and so on. However, one interesting classification can be based on the dimension. The fillers can be classified into three groups depending on their shape. They are 1D nanofillers such as nanorods, fibers, or tubes with varying aspect ratios; 2D fillers such as platelets with a thickness of the lower nanometer range and the dimensions in length and width far exceed the particle thickness; 3D nanoparticles, which are spherical in shape (Fig. 1.1).

Figure 1.1 Classification of nanoscale fillers: (a–c) 1D, 2D, and 3D nanomaterials.

1.2.1.1 Zero-Dimensional Nanofillers

Silsesquioxanes are nanostructures having the empirical formula RSiO_1.5, where R is a hydrogen atom or an organic functional group such as an alkyl, alkylene, acrylate, hydroxyl, or epoxide unit [14]. Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) is a true hybrid inorganic/organic chemical composite that possesses an inner inorganic silicon and oxygen core (SiO_1.5)_n and external organic substituents that can feature a range of polar or nonpolar functional groups. POSS nanostructures have diameters ranging from 1 to 3 nm [15]. The incorporation of POSS moieties into a polymeric material can dramatically improve its mechanical properties (e.g., strength, modulus, rigidity) as well as reduce its flammability, heat evolution, and viscosity during processing. These enhancements can apply to a wide range of applications such as commercial thermoplastic polymers, high-performance thermoplastic polymers, and thermosetting polymers [16, 17]. Both monofunctional and multifunctional monomers of these types have been used to prepare commercial and/or high-performance thermoplastic polymers [18–20] and thermosetting ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Table of Contents
• List of Contributors
• Chapter 1: Materials for Polymer Nanocomposites
• Chapter 2: Manufacturing Polymer Nanocomposites
• Chapter 3: Rheology and Processing of Polymer Nanocomposites: Theory, Practice, and New Challenges
• Chapter 4: Mixing of Polymers Using the Elongational Flow Mixer (RMX®)
• Chapter 5: Rheology and Processing of Polymer/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites
• Chapter 6: Processing and Rheological Behaviors of Cnt/Polymer Nanocomposites
• Chapter 7: Unusual Phase Separation in PS Rich Blends with PVME in Presence of MWNTs
• Chapter 8: Rheology and Processing of Polymer/POSS Nanocomposites
• Chapter 9: Polymer and Composite Nanofiber: Electrospinning Parameters and Rheology Properties
• Chapter 10: Rheology and Processing of Inorganic Nanomaterials and Quantum Dots/Polymer Nanocomposites
• Chapter 11: Rheology and Processing of Laponite/Polymer Nanocomposites
• Chapter 12: Graphene-Based Nanocomposites: Mechanical, Thermal, Electrical, and Rheological Properties
• Chapter 13: Processing, Rheology, and Electrical Properties of Polymer/Nanocarbon Black Composites
• Chapter 14: Rheology and Processing of Nanocellulose, Nanochitin, and Nanostarch/Polymer Bionanocomposites
• Chapter 15: Rheology And Processing of Nanoparticle Filled Polymer Blend Nanocomposites
• Chapter 16: Rheology as a Tool for Studying in Situ Polymerized Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites
• Index
• End User License Agreement