Bulk and interfacial behavior of nanoparticle/polymer blends.
- Michigan State University
We have investigated a model athermal system consisting of polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles (NPs) in PS melts. Neutron scattering shows that the chain dimensions expand in the presence of the NPs. We investigate this result theoretically using self-consistent PRISM theory, and also find an expansion in chain dimensions as a function of NP volume fraction. Recently it has been shown that nanoparticles can suppress dewetting in thin polymer films, a counterintuitive result since particles usually induce dewetting. Neutron reflectivity measurements have shown that the NPs phase separate to the surface, so one proposed mechanism for the inhibition of dewetting is that this segregation changes the surface energies. We calculate the density profiles for dilute NPs in polymer melts near a substrate using classical density functional theory, which shows that the NPs do indeed segregate to the surface.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 949006
- Report Number(s):
- SAND2005-1883C; TRN: US0901737
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Proposed for presentation at the 2005 APS March Meeting held March 21-25, 2005 in Los Angeles, CA.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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