Relaxation dynamics of deformed polymer nanocomposites as revealed by small-angle scattering and rheology

Sun, Ruikun; Yang, Jie; Patil, Shalin; Liu, Yun; Zuo, Xiaobing; Lee, Andre; Yang, Wei; Wang, Yangyang; Cheng, Shiwang

doi:10.1039/D2SM00775D

Relaxation dynamics of deformed polymer nanocomposites as revealed by small-angle scattering and rheology

Journal Article · Mon Oct 31 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Soft Matter (Online)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SM00775D· OSTI ID:1997602

Sun, Ruikun ^[1]; Yang, Jie ^[2]; Patil, Shalin ^[1]; Liu, Yun ^[3]; Zuo, Xiaobing ^[4]; ^[1]; ^[5]; ^[6]; ^[1]

Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (United States)
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (United States); Sichuan University, Chengdu (China)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD (United States); University of Delaware, Newark, DE (United States)
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sichuan University, Chengdu (China)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Here, the relaxation dynamics of polystyrene (PS)/silica nanocomposites after a large step deformation are studied by a combination of small-angle scattering techniques and rheology. Small-angle X-ray scattering measurements and rheology show clear signatures of nanoparticle aggregation that enhances the mechanical properties of the polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) in the linear viscoelastic regime and during the initial phase of stress relaxation along with accelerated relaxation dynamics. Small-angle neutron scattering experiments under the zero-average-contrast condition reveal, however, smaller structural anisotropy in the PNCs than that in the neat polymer matrix, as well as accelerated anisotropy relaxation. In addition, the degrees of anisotropy reduction and relaxation dynamics acceleration increase with increasing nanoparticle loading. These results are in sharp contrast to the prevailing viewpoint of enhanced molecular deformation as the main mechanism for the mechanical enhancement in PNCs. Furthermore, the observed acceleration of stress relaxation and reduction in structural anisotropy point to two types of nonlinear effects in the relaxation dynamics of PNCs at large deformation.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF); National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725; AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 1997602

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2427370
OSTI ID: 1898194

Journal Information:: Soft Matter (Online), Journal Name: Soft Matter (Online) Journal Issue: 46 Vol. 18; ISSN 1744-6848

Publisher:: Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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