Quantifying the degree of nanofiller dispersion by advanced thermal analysis: application to polyester nanocomposites prepared by various elaboration methods
[en] An innovative thermal analysis methodology is applied for the characterization of poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocomposites containing layered silicates, needle-like sepiolite or polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nano-cages, aiming at assessing the key factors affecting nanofiller dispersion and nanocomposite properties. This methodology takes benefit of the fact that-for a given nanofiller aspect ratio-the magnitude of the excess heat capacity recorded during quasi-isothermal crystallization is directly related to the occurrence of pronounced changes to the PCL crystalline morphology. The extent of these changes, in turn, directly depends on the amount of matrix/filler interface and can therefore be considered a reliable measure for the degree of nanofiller dispersion, as supported by complementary morphological characterization. The importance of processing parameters is demonstrated in a comparative study using various melt processing conditions, evidencing the need for high shear to effectively exfoliate and disperse individual nanoparticles throughout the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the choice of the nanocomposite elaboration method is shown to profoundly affect the final morphology, as illustrated in a comparison between nanocomposites prepared by melt mixing, by in situ polymerization and by a masterbatch approach. Grafting PCL onto the filler strongly enhances its dispersion quality as compared to conventional melt mixing; subsequently further dispersing such grafted nanohybrids into the polymer matrix through a masterbatch approach provides a highly efficient method for the elaboration of well-dispersed nanocomposites. Finally, the crucial issue of interfacial compatibility is addressed in a comparison between various surface-treated layered silicates, showing that high degrees of filler dispersion in a PCL matrix can only be achieved upon polar modification of the silicate.
Disciplines :
Chemistry
Author, co-author :
Miltner, H.E.
Watzeels, Nick
Goffin, Anne-Lise
Duquesne, Emmanuël ; Université de Mons > Unités externes > Materia Nova ASBL
Benali, Samira ; Université de Mons > Faculté des Sciences > Matériaux Polymères et Composites
Dubois, Philippe ; Université de Mons > Faculté des Sciences > Matériaux Polymères et Composites
Rahier, Hubert
Van Mele, Bruno
Language :
English
Title :
Quantifying the degree of nanofiller dispersion by advanced thermal analysis: application to polyester nanocomposites prepared by various elaboration methods
Publication date :
16 September 2010
Journal title :
Journal of Materials Chemistry B
ISSN :
2050-750X
eISSN :
2050-7518
Publisher :
Royal Society of Chemistry, United Kingdom
Volume :
20
Issue :
42
Pages :
9531-9542
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Research unit :
S816 - Matériaux Polymères et Composites
Research institute :
R400 - Institut de Recherche en Science et Ingénierie des Matériaux