1
|
Feng Y, Li R, Mbonu C, Akcora P. Effect of Oligomer Addition on Tube Dilation in Polymer Nanocomposite Melts. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024; 45:e2300620. [PMID: 38133122 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of adding oligomers on the rheological properties of polymer nanocomposite melts with the goal of enhancing the processability of nanocomposites. The scaling analysis of plateau modulus (GN ) is used in understanding the complex mechanical behavior of entangled poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) melts upon oligomer addition. Increasing the oligomer amount led to a decrease in GN and an apparent degree of entanglement (Z) in the neat polymer melt. The particle dispersion states at two particle loadings with oligomer addition are examined in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The dilution exponent is found unchanged at 7 and 17 vol% particle loadings for the well-dispersed PMA-SiO2 nanocomposites compared to the neat PMA solution. These findings suggest that attractive particles with strong interfacial layers do not influence the tube dilution scaling of the polymer with the oligomer. To the contrary, composites with weak polymer-particle interfaces demonstrate phase separation of particles when oligomers are introduced and its exponent for tube dilution scaling reaches 4 at a particle loading of 17 vol%, potentially indicating that network-forming clusters influence chain entanglements in this scenario.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Feng
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, 07030, USA
| | - Ruhao Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, 07030, USA
| | - Christopher Mbonu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, 07030, USA
| | - Pinar Akcora
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ, 07030, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Utomo NW, Deng Y, Zhao Q, Liu X, Archer LA. Structure and Evolution of Quasi-Solid-State Hybrid Electrolytes Formed Inside Electrochemical Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2110333. [PMID: 35765212 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202110333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) formed inside an electrochemical cell by polymerization of a liquid precursor provide a promising strategy for overcoming problems with electrolyte wetting in solid-state batteries. Hybrid solid-state polymer electrolytes (HSPEs) created by in situ polymerization of a conventional liquid precursor containing electrochemically inert nanostructures are of particular interest because they offer a mechanism for selectively reinforcing or adding new functionalities to the electrolyte-removing the need for high degrees of polymerization. The synthesis, structure, chemical kinetics, ion-transport properties and electrochemical characteristics of HSPEs created by Al(OTf)3 -initiated polymerization of 1,3-dioxolane (DOL) containing hairy, nano-sized SiO2 particles are reported. Small-angle X-ray scattering reveals the particles are well-dispersed in liquid DOL. Strong interaction between poly(ethylene glycol) molecules tethered to the SiO2 particles and poly(DOL) lead to co-crystallization-anchoring the nanoparticles in their host It also enables polymerization-depolymerization processes in DOL to be studied and controlled. The utility of the in-situ-formed HSPE, is demonstrated first in Li|HSPE|Cu half cells, which manifest Coulombic efficiencies (CE) values approaching 99%. HSPEs are also demonstrated in solid-state lithium-sulfur-polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) composite full-cell batteries. The in-situ-formed Li|HSPE|SPAN cells show good cycling stability and thus provide a promising path toward all-solid-state batteries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nyalaliska W Utomo
- Robert Frederick School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853-5201, USA
| | - Yue Deng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Bard Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853-5201, USA
| | - Qing Zhao
- Robert Frederick School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853-5201, USA
| | - Xiaotun Liu
- Robert Frederick School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853-5201, USA
| | - Lynden A Archer
- Robert Frederick School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853-5201, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Bard Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853-5201, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhu Z, Tsai CY, Zhao M, Baker J, Sue HJ. PMMA Nanocomposites Based on PMMA-Grafted α-Zirconium Phosphate Nanoplatelets. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zewen Zhu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3003, United States
| | - Chia-Ying Tsai
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3003, United States
| | - Mingzhen Zhao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3003, United States
| | - Joseph Baker
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3003, United States
| | - Hung-Jue Sue
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3003, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Feric TG, Hamilton ST, Cantillo NM, Imel AE, Zawodzinski TA, Park AHA. Dynamic Mixing Behaviors of Ionically Tethered Polymer Canopy of Nanoscale Hybrid Materials in Fluids of Varying Physical and Chemical Properties. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:9223-9234. [PMID: 34370476 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c00935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An emerging area of sustainable energy and environmental research is focused on the development of novel electrolytes that can increase the solubility of target species and improve subsequent reaction performance. Electrolytes with chemical and structural tunability have allowed for significant advancements in flow batteries and CO2 conversion integrated with CO2 capture. Liquid-like nanoparticle organic hybrid materials (NOHMs) are nanoscale fluids that are composed of inorganic nanocores and an ionically tethered polymeric canopy. NOHMs have been shown to exhibit enhanced conductivity making them promising for electrolyte applications, though they are often challenged by high viscosity in the neat state. In this study, a series of binary mixtures of NOHM-I-HPE with five different secondary fluids, water, chloroform, toluene, acetonitrile, and ethyl acetate, were prepared to reduce the fluid viscosity and investigate the effects of secondary fluid properties (e.g., hydrogen bonding ability, polarity, and molar volume) on their transport behaviors, including viscosity and diffusivity. Our results revealed that the molecular ratio of secondary fluid to the ether groups of Jeffamine M2070 (λSF) was able to describe the effect that secondary fluid has on transport properties. Our findings also suggest that in solution, the Jeffamine M2070 molecules exist in different nanoscale environments, where some are more strongly associated with the nanoparticle surface than others, and the conformation of the polymer canopy was dependent on the secondary fluid. This understanding of the polymer conformation in NOHMs can allow for the better design of an electrolyte capable of capturing and releasing small gaseous or ionic species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nelly M Cantillo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Adam E Imel
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Thomas A Zawodzinski
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States.,Energy Storage and Membrane Materials Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sakib N, Koh YP, Huang Y, Mongcopa KIS, Le AN, Benicewicz BC, Krishnamoorti R, Simon SL. Thermal and Rheological Analysis of Polystyrene-Grafted Silica Nanocomposites. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b02127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nazam Sakib
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - Yung P. Koh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - Yucheng Huang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29201, United States
| | - Katrina Irene S. Mongcopa
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Amy N. Le
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Brian C. Benicewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29201, United States
| | - Ramanan Krishnamoorti
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, United States
| | - Sindee L. Simon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
You W, Yu W. Slow Linear Viscoelastic Relaxation of Polymer Nanocomposites: Contribution from Confined Diffusion of Nanoparticles. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b01538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wei You
- Advanced Rheology Institute, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix Composite Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Ageing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Wei Yu
- Advanced Rheology Institute, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix Composite Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Ageing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Parisi D, Truzzolillo D, Deepak VD, Gauthier M, Vlassopoulos D. Transition from Confined to Bulk Dynamics in Symmetric Star–Linear Polymer Mixtures. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b00188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Domenico Truzzolillo
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), UMR 5221 CNRS Université de Montpellier, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Vishnu D. Deepak
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, N2L 3G1 Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mario Gauthier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, N2L 3G1 Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Karatrantos A, Composto RJ, Winey KI, Clarke N. Nanorod Diffusion in Polymer Nanocomposites by Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b02141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Argyrios Karatrantos
- Materials Research and Technology, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, L-4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Russell J. Composto
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Karen I. Winey
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Nigel Clarke
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
|
10
|
Ma F, Xu B, Song Y, Zheng Q. Influence of molecular weight on molecular dynamics and dynamic rheology of polypropylene glycol filled with silica. RSC Adv 2018; 8:31972-31978. [PMID: 35547494 PMCID: PMC9085909 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra04497j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular weight strongly influences the molecular dynamics and rheological responses of nanocomposites, which is far from being well understood. Herein molecular dynamics and rheological behaviors of hydrophilic fumed silica filled unentangled polypropylene glycol (PPG) were investigated as a function of weight averaged molecular weight (M w) of PPG and volume fraction (∅) of silica. It is shown that M w does not affect the glassy layers surrounding the nanoparticles and the segmental dynamics of the mobile PPG phase. On the other hand, the mobile PPG phase in the highly filled nanocomposites exhibits an abnormal "more fragile" to "stronger" transition with increasing M w. The reinforcement and thinning behaviors are stronger in lower-M w nanocomposites with the "more fragile" mobile PPG phase. The results suggest that reinforcement of nanocomposites affects the dynamic fragility of the mobile phase of the matrix.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Furui Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310027 China
| | - Bei Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310027 China
| | - Yihu Song
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310027 China
| | - Qiang Zheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310027 China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Karatrantos A, Koutsawa Y, Dubois P, Clarke N, Kröger M. Miscibility and Nanoparticle Diffusion in Ionic Nanocomposites. Polymers (Basel) 2018; 10:E1010. [PMID: 30960935 PMCID: PMC6403637 DOI: 10.3390/polym10091010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigate the effect of various spherical nanoparticles in a polymer matrix on dispersion, chain dimensions and entanglements for ionic nanocomposites at dilute and high nanoparticle loading by means of molecular dynamics simulations. The nanoparticle dispersion can be achieved in oligomer matrices due to the presence of electrostatic interactions. We show that the overall configuration of ionic oligomer chains, as characterized by their radii of gyration, can be perturbed at dilute nanoparticle loading by the presence of charged nanoparticles. In addition, the nanoparticle's diffusivity is reduced due to the electrostatic interactions, in comparison to conventional nanocomposites where the electrostatic interaction is absent. The charged nanoparticles are found to move by a hopping mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Argyrios Karatrantos
- Materials Research and Technology, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, L-4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
| | - Yao Koutsawa
- Materials Research and Technology, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, L-4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
| | - Philippe Dubois
- Center of Innovation and Research in Materials and Polymers (CIRMAP), Laboratory of Polymeric and Composite Materials, University of Mons & Materia Nova Research Centre, Place du Parc 20, B-7000 Mons, Belgium.
| | - Nigel Clarke
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK.
| | - Martin Kröger
- Polymer Physics, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Leopold-Ruzicka-Weg 4, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tao W, Shen J, Chen Y, Liu J, Gao Y, Wu Y, Zhang L, Tsige M. Strain rate and temperature dependence of the mechanical properties of polymers: A universal time-temperature superposition principle. J Chem Phys 2018; 149:044105. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5031114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Tao
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianxiang Shen
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing 314001, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yulong Chen
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yangyang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Youping Wu
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liqun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 100029 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mesfin Tsige
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Xu H, Song Y, Jia E, Zheng Q. Dynamics heterogeneity in silica-filled nitrile butadiene rubber. J Appl Polym Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/app.46223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Huilong Xu
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310027 China
| | - Yihu Song
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310027 China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310027 China
| | - Erwen Jia
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310027 China
| | - Qiang Zheng
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310027 China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization; Zhejiang University; Hangzhou 310027 China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Contributions of silica network and interfacial fraction in reinforcement and Payne effect of polypropylene glycol nanocomposites. POLYMER 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2018.01.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
15
|
Li SJ, Qian HJ, Lu ZY. Translational and rotational dynamics of an ultra-thin nanorod probe particle in linear polymer melts. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:20996-21007. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cp03653e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Translational and rotational dynamics of a single rigid ultra-thin nanorod probe particle in linear polymer melts are investigated using coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG-MD) simulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Jia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
- International Joint Research Laboratory of Nano-Micro Architecture Chemistry
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry
- Jilin University
| | - Hu-Jun Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
- International Joint Research Laboratory of Nano-Micro Architecture Chemistry
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry
- Jilin University
| | - Zhong-Yuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
- International Joint Research Laboratory of Nano-Micro Architecture Chemistry
- Institute of Theoretical Chemistry
- Jilin University
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Senses E, Tyagi M, Natarajan B, Narayanan S, Faraone A. Chain dynamics and nanoparticle motion in attractive polymer nanocomposites subjected to large deformations. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:7922-7929. [PMID: 29034930 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm01009e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The effect of large deformation on the chain dynamics in attractive polymer nanocomposites was investigated using neutron scattering techniques. Quasi-elastic neutron backscattering measurements reveal a substantial reduction of polymer mobility in the presence of attractive, well-dispersed nanoparticles. In addition, large deformations are observed to cause a further slowing down of the Rouse rates at high particle loadings, where the interparticle spacings are slightly smaller than the chain dimensions, i.e. in the strongly confined state. No noticeable change, however, was observed for a lightly confined system. The reptation tube diameter, measured by neutron spin echo, remained unchanged after shear, suggesting that the level of chain-chain entanglements is not significantly affected. The shear-induced changes in the interparticle bridging reflect the slow nanoparticle motion measured by X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy. These results provide a first step for understanding how large shear can significantly affect the segmental motion in nanocomposites and open up new opportunities for designing mechanically responsive soft materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Senses
- NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8562, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
|
18
|
|
19
|
Karatrantos A, Composto RJ, Winey KI, Clarke N. Polymer and spherical nanoparticle diffusion in nanocomposites. J Chem Phys 2017; 146:203331. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4981258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Argyrios Karatrantos
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Russell J. Composto
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Karen I. Winey
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Nigel Clarke
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
|
21
|
Napolitano S, Glynos E, Tito NB. Glass transition of polymers in bulk, confined geometries, and near interfaces. REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN PHYSICS. PHYSICAL SOCIETY (GREAT BRITAIN) 2017; 80:036602. [PMID: 28134134 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/aa5284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 244] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
When cooled or pressurized, polymer melts exhibit a tremendous reduction in molecular mobility. If the process is performed at a constant rate, the structural relaxation time of the liquid eventually exceeds the time allowed for equilibration. This brings the system out of equilibrium, and the liquid is operationally defined as a glass-a solid lacking long-range order. Despite almost 100 years of research on the (liquid/)glass transition, it is not yet clear which molecular mechanisms are responsible for the unique slow-down in molecular dynamics. In this review, we first introduce the reader to experimental methodologies, theories, and simulations of glassy polymer dynamics and vitrification. We then analyse the impact of connectivity, structure, and chain environment on molecular motion at the length scale of a few monomers, as well as how macromolecular architecture affects the glass transition of non-linear polymers. We then discuss a revised picture of nanoconfinement, going beyond a simple picture based on interfacial interactions and surface/volume ratio. Analysis of a large body of experimental evidence, results from molecular simulations, and predictions from theory supports, instead, a more complex framework where other parameters are relevant. We focus discussion specifically on local order, free volume, irreversible chain adsorption, the Debye-Waller factor of confined and confining media, chain rigidity, and the absolute value of the vitrification temperature. We end by highlighting the molecular origin of distributions in relaxation times and glass transition temperatures which exceed, by far, the size of a chain. Fast relaxation modes, almost universally present at the free surface between polymer and air, are also remarked upon. These modes relax at rates far larger than those characteristic of glassy dynamics in bulk. We speculate on how these may be a signature of unique relaxation processes occurring in confined or heterogeneous polymeric systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Napolitano
- Laboratory of Polymer and Soft Matter Dynamics, Faculté des Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | |
Collapse
|