The addition of nanoparticles to polymer systems with an existing phase-separated morphology, such as polymer blends, represents an innovative approach to controlling the microstructure and, hence, the macroscopic properties of the material. During the melt mixing of the constituents, the particles migrate toward specific regions of the material and are driven by more favorable thermodynamic interactions. Kinetic effects related to the high viscosity of the polymer melts, however, may lead to nonequilibrium morphologies. This makes the mixing procedure crucial for controlling the space distribution of the filler and, hence, the microstructure of the blend and its final properties. We focused on this topic by investigating the effect of the sequence of addition of the constituents in blends of polystyrene and polyamide 6 filled with an organoclay prepared by melt compounding. We show that the mixing procedure could bring about alterations in the onset of cocontinuity, which could be exploited to enhance the high-temperature mechanical strength of the blends.

Altering the onset of cocontinuity in nanocomposite immiscible blends by acting on the melt-compounding procedure

ACIERNO, DOMENICO
2011-01-01

Abstract

The addition of nanoparticles to polymer systems with an existing phase-separated morphology, such as polymer blends, represents an innovative approach to controlling the microstructure and, hence, the macroscopic properties of the material. During the melt mixing of the constituents, the particles migrate toward specific regions of the material and are driven by more favorable thermodynamic interactions. Kinetic effects related to the high viscosity of the polymer melts, however, may lead to nonequilibrium morphologies. This makes the mixing procedure crucial for controlling the space distribution of the filler and, hence, the microstructure of the blend and its final properties. We focused on this topic by investigating the effect of the sequence of addition of the constituents in blends of polystyrene and polyamide 6 filled with an organoclay prepared by melt compounding. We show that the mixing procedure could bring about alterations in the onset of cocontinuity, which could be exploited to enhance the high-temperature mechanical strength of the blends.
2011
Nanocomposite; polymer blend; structure-property relationships
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/251664
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 11
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 11
social impact