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Liang S, Yuan C, Nie C, Liu Y, Zhang D, Xu WC, Liu C, Xu G, Wu S. Photocontrolled Reversible Solid-Fluid Transitions of Azopolymer Nanocomposites for Intelligent Nanomaterials. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2408159. [PMID: 39082060 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202408159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Intelligent polymer nanocomposites are multicomponent and multifunctional materials that show immense potential across diverse applications. However, to exhibit intelligent traits such as adaptability, reconfigurability and dynamic properties, these materials often require a solvent or heating environment to facilitate the mobility of polymer chains and nanoparticles, rendering their applications in everyday settings impractical. Here intelligent azopolymer nanocomposites that function effectively in a solvent-free, room-temperature environment based on photocontrolled reversible solid-fluid transitions via switching flow temperatures (Tfs) are shown. A range of nanocomposites is synthesized through the grafting of Au nanoparticles, Au nanorods, quantum dots, or superparamagnetic nanoparticles with photoresponsive azopolymers. Leveraging the reversible cis-trans photoisomerization of azo groups, the azopolymer nanocomposites transition between solid (Tf above room temperature) and fluid (Tf below room temperature) states. Such photocontrolled reversible solid-fluid transitions empower the rewriting of nanopatterns, correction of nanoscale defects, reconfiguration of complex multiscale structures, and design of intelligent optical devices. These findings highlight Tf-switchable polymer nanocomposites as promising candidates for the development of intelligent nanomaterials operative in solvent-free, room-temperature conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuofeng Liang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Anhui Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Chenrui Yuan
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Anhui Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Chen Nie
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Anhui Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Yazhi Liu
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Dachuan Zhang
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Anhui Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Wen-Cong Xu
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Anhui Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Chengwei Liu
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Anhui Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Guofeng Xu
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Anhui Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Si Wu
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, Anhui Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
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Kim J, Thompson BR, Tominaga T, Osawa T, Egami T, Förster S, Ohl M, Senses E, Faraone A, Wagner NJ. Suppression of Segmental Chain Dynamics on a Particle's Surface in Well-Dispersed Polymer Nanocomposites. ACS Macro Lett 2024; 13:720-725. [PMID: 38804976 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.4c00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The Rouse dynamics of polymer chains in model nanocomposite polyethylene oxide/silica nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated using quasielastic neutron scattering. The apparent Rouse rate of the polymer chains decreases as the particle loading increases. However, there is no evidence of an immobile segment population on the probed time scale of tens of ps. The slowing down of the dynamics is interpreted in terms of modified Rouse models for the chains in the NP interphase region. Thus, two chain populations, one bulk-like and the other characterized by a suppression of Rouse modes, are identified. The spatial extent of the interphase region is estimated to be about twice the adsorbed layer thickness, or ≈2 nm. These findings provide a detailed description of the suppression of the chain dynamics on the surface of NPs. These results are relevant insights on surface effects and confinement and provide a foundation for the understanding of the rheological properties of polymer nanocomposites with well-dispersed NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihyuk Kim
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, Center for Neutron Science, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Benjamin R Thompson
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, Center for Neutron Science, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Taiki Tominaga
- Neutron Science and Technology Center, Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society (CROSS), 162-1 Shirakata, Tokai-mura, Naka-Gun, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan
| | - Takahito Osawa
- Materials Sciences Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai-mura, Naka-Gun, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan
| | - Takeshi Egami
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Stephan Förster
- Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, Juelich Centre for Neutron Science, Wilhelm Johnen Str. 1, D-52425 Juelich, Germany
| | - Michael Ohl
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
- Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, Juelich Centre for Neutron Science, Wilhelm Johnen Str. 1, D-52425 Juelich, Germany
| | - Erkan Senses
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Antonio Faraone
- Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Norman J Wagner
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, Center for Neutron Science, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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Sarma H, Mandal S, Borbora A, Das J, Kumar S, Manna U. Self-healable, Tolerant Superaerophobic Coating for Improving Electrochemical Hydrogen Production. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2309359. [PMID: 38243839 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202309359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Gas-evolving electrodes often suffer from the blocking of catalytic active sites-due to unwanted and unavoidable adhesion of generated gas bubbles, which elevates the overpotential for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)- by raising the resistance of the electrode. Here, a catalyst-free and self-healable superaerophobic coating having ultra-low bubble adhesion is introduced for achieving significantly depleted overpotentials of 209 and 506 mV at both low (50 mA cm-2) and high (500 mA cm-2) current densities, respectively, compared to a bare nickel-foam electrode. The optimized coating ensured an early detachment of the generated tiny (0.8 ± 0.1 mm) gas bubble-and thus, prevented the undesired rise in resistance of the coated electrode. The systematic association of physical (i.e., ionic interactions, H-bonding, etc.) cross-linkage, β-amino ester type covalent cross-linkage and reinforced halloysite nano clay enables the design of such functional material embedded with essential characteristics-including improved mechanical (toughness of 63.7 kJ m-3, and tensile modulus of 26 kPa) property and chemical (extremes of pH (1 and 14), salinity, etc.) stability, rapid (<10 min) self-healing ability (even at alkaline condition) and desired bubble-wettability (bubble contact angle of 158.2 ± 0.2°) with ultralow force (4.2 ± 0.4 µN) of bubble adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hrisikesh Sarma
- Bio-Inspired Polymeric Materials Lab, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Kamrup, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Subhankar Mandal
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Kamrup, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Angana Borbora
- Bio-Inspired Polymeric Materials Lab, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Kamrup, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Jaysri Das
- Bio-Inspired Polymeric Materials Lab, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Kamrup, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Saurav Kumar
- Bio-Inspired Polymeric Materials Lab, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Kamrup, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Uttam Manna
- Bio-Inspired Polymeric Materials Lab, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Kamrup, Assam, 781039, India
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Kamrup, Assam, 781039, India
- School of Health Science & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Kamrup, Assam, 781039, India
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Huang L, Song Z, Song X, Yu F, Lu A, He H, Liu W, Wang Z, Zhang P, Li S, Zhao X, Cui S, Zhu C, Liu Y. Performance Enhancement of Silicone Rubber Using Superhydrophobic Silica Aerogel with Robust Nanonetwork Structure and Outstanding Interfacial Effect. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:22580-22592. [PMID: 38634565 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c03227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The application of high-performance rubber nanocomposites has attracted wide attention, but its development is limited by the imbalance of interface and network effects caused by fillers. Herein, an ultrastrong polymer nanocomposite is successfully designed by introducing a superhydrophobic and mesoporous silica aerogel (HSA) as the filler to poly(methyl vinyl phenyl) siloxane (PVMQ), which increased the PVMQ elongation at break (∼690.1%) by ∼9.3 times and the strength at break (∼6.6 MPa) by ∼24.3 times. Furthermore, HSA/PVMQ with a high dynamic storage modulus (G'0) of ∼12.2 MPa and high Payne effect (ΔG') of ∼9.4 MPa is simultaneously achieved, which is equivalent to 2-3 times that of commercial fumed silica reinforced PVMQ. The superior performance is attributed to the filler-rubber interfacial interaction and the robust filler-rubber entanglement network which is observed by scanning electron microscopy. When the HSA-PVMQ entanglement network is subjected to external stress, both the HSA and bound-PVMQ chains are synergistically involved in resisting structural evolution, resulting in the maximized energy dissipation and deformation resistance through the desorption of the polymer chain and the slip/interpenetrating of the exchange hydrogen bond pairs. Hence, highly aggregated nanoporous silica aerogels may soon be widely used in the application of reinforced silicone rubber or other polymers shortly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longjin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
- Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Zihao Song
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Xiaomin Song
- Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Fengmei Yu
- Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Ai Lu
- Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Hongjiang He
- Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
- Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
- Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Southwest Univ Sci & Technol, Sch Mat Sci & Engn, State Key Lab Environm Friendly Energy Mat, Mianyang 621010, China
| | - Shichun Li
- Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Xueyan Zhao
- Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Sheng Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Material Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Chunhua Zhu
- Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang 621900, China
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Colijn I, van der Kooij HM, Schroën K. From fundamental insights to rational (bio)polymer nanocomposite design - Connecting the nanometer to meter scale. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 324:103076. [PMID: 38301315 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2023.103076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Nanoparticle addition has the potential to make bioplastic use mainstream, as the resultant nanocomposite shows improved mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties. It is well established that the architecture and dynamics of the nanoparticle-polymer interphasial region, ∼ 1.5-9 nm from the nanoparticle surface, are crucial for nanocomposite characteristics. Yet, how these molecular phenomena translate to the bulk is still largely unknown. A multi-disciplinary and multi-scale vision is required to capture the full picture and improve materials far beyond what is currently possible. In this review, a first step in bridging the apparent gap between fundamental insights toward observed material properties is made. At the molecular scale, the polymer chain density and dynamics at the nanoparticle surface are governed by a complex interplay between enthalpy and entropy. The resultant interphasial properties can only be propagated to the macroscopic scale effectively when the nanoparticles are well-distributed. This makes the dispersion state a key parameter for which thermodynamic and kinetic insights can be used to prevent nanoparticle aggregation. These insights are linked to material properties relevant to packaging. The outlook section elaborates on the remaining challenges and the steps required to further understand and better design nanocomposite systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivanna Colijn
- Wageningen University and Research, Food Process Engineering Group, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Hanne M van der Kooij
- Wageningen University and Research, Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter Group, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Karin Schroën
- Wageningen University and Research, Food Process Engineering Group, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG Wageningen, the Netherlands.
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6
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Legrand G, Baeza GP, Peyla M, Porcar L, Fernández-de-Alba C, Manneville S, Divoux T. Acid-Induced Gelation of Carboxymethylcellulose Solutions. ACS Macro Lett 2024:234-239. [PMID: 38301141 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
The present work offers a comprehensive description of the acid-induced gelation of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), a water-soluble derivative of cellulose broadly used in numerous applications ranging from food packaging to biomedical engineering. Linear viscoelastic properties measured at various pH and CMC contents allow us to build a sol-gel phase diagram and show that CMC gels exhibit broad power-law viscoelastic spectra that can be rescaled onto a master curve following a time-composition superposition principle. These results demonstrate the microstructural self-similarity of CMC gels and inspire a mean-field model based on hydrophobic interchain association that accounts for the sol-gel boundary over the entire range of CMC content under study. Neutron scattering experiments further confirm this picture and suggest that CMC gels comprise a fibrous network cross-linked by aggregates. Finally, low-field NMR measurements offer an original signature of acid-induced gelation from a solvent perspective. Altogether, these results open avenues for the precise manipulation and control of CMC-based hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guilhem P Baeza
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, UCBL, CNRS, MATEIS, UMR5510, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Matteo Peyla
- ENSL, CNRS, Laboratoire de Physique, F-69342 Lyon, France
| | | | - Carlos Fernández-de-Alba
- Université de Lyon, CNRS, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSA Lyon, Université Jean Monnet, UMR 5223, Ingénierie des Matériaux Polymères, Service RMN Polymères de l'ICL, F-69621 Cédex, France
| | - Sébastien Manneville
- ENSL, CNRS, Laboratoire de Physique, F-69342 Lyon, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), https://www.iufrance.fr/
| | - Thibaut Divoux
- ENSL, CNRS, Laboratoire de Physique, F-69342 Lyon, France
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Kumar S, Rath SK, Kushwaha A, Deshpande SK, Patro TU, Harikrishnan G. Thermal evolution of a polymer-nanoparticle binary mixture. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:3036-3043. [PMID: 38180133 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp04780f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
We experimentally probe the microscopic variations in a model polymer-nanoparticle (NP) binary mixture (mixture of polybutadiene and clay nanoplatelets) across a thermal evolution path for which Tevolution > Tg(polymer). The evolution of the NP dispersion, NP crystallinity, polymer chain-NP interface, and nature of polymer chain-NP interaction are mapped for a spectrum of temperatures and NP concentrations constrained by experiments. Multiple pieces of evidence indicate that thermal evolution does not influence the nature of interparticle dispersion and is also independent of NP concentration in the binary mixture. However, the NP crystalline order significantly reduces across the thermal evolution path. Thermal evolution induces a transition of a sharp polymer chain-NP interface to a diffuse interfacial layer. In contrast, an already diffuse polymer-NP interface existing in the binary mixture due to particle crowding at high NP concentrations undergoes no significant change in its nature across the evolution path. At all particle concentrations, thermal evolution changes the dominant interaction from polymer chain-polymer chain to polymer chain-NP. These insights aid in explaining the molecular origins of unique and anomalous behaviors shown by polymer-nanoparticle binary mixtures while undergoing thermal evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Kumar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, B.M.S. College of Engineering, Bengaluru 560 019, India
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India.
| | - Sangram K Rath
- Polymer Division, Naval Materials Research Laboratory, Ambernath, Maharashtra, 421506, India
| | - Ashwani Kushwaha
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - S K Deshpande
- UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - T Umasankar Patro
- School of Materials and Chemical Sciences, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune, 411025, India
| | - G Harikrishnan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India.
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Young W, Katsumata R. Intermediate Polymer Relaxation Explains the Anomalous Rheology of Nanocomposites with Ultrasmall Attractive POSS Nanoparticles. ACS POLYMERS AU 2023; 3:466-474. [PMID: 38107418 PMCID: PMC10722563 DOI: 10.1021/acspolymersau.3c00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The rheological properties of entangled polymers loaded with very small, strongly attractive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) fillers differ from that of nanocomposites with larger fillers by (1) the shorter breadth of the entanglement plateau and (2) the relatively unchanged terminal viscosity with increasing POSS loading. Although such anomalous rheological properties can rewrite the property-processing map of materials (e.g., high glass transition temperature and low viscosity), their mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we report that polymer relaxations on intermediate time scales between α and entire-chain relaxation, so-called "slower processes", are responsible for this unusual rheological behavior of poly(2-vinylpyridine)/octa(aminophenyl)silsesquioxane (P2VP/OAPS) nanocomposites. To uncover the effects of entanglements on the nanocomposite dynamics, rheometry is used for variable matrix molecular weights. Results show a systematic change in the rheological response, which is independent of the molecular weight, and in turn, the presence of entanglements. This supports a physical interpretation that a slower process dominates the rheological response of the material at intermediate frequencies on length scales larger than the segment length or the OAPS diameter, while the underlying physical time scales associated with the entanglement relaxation remain unchanged. Such insights are anticipated to assist the future rational design of other highly attractive and ultrasmall nanoparticles that enable a fine-tuned rheological response of nanocomposites across multiple length scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter
W. Young
- Department
of Polymer Science and Engineering, University
of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Reika Katsumata
- Department
of Polymer Science and Engineering, University
of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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Liu Y, Xue B, Chen J, Lai Y, Yin P. The Coordination Nanocages-Integrated Polymer Brush Networks for Flexible Microporous Membranes with Exceptional H 2 /CO 2 Separation Performance. Macromol Rapid Commun 2023; 44:e2300477. [PMID: 37814593 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300477] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of polymers with intrinsic microporosity provides solutions for flexible gas separation membranes with both high gas permeability and selectivity. However, their applications are significantly hindered by the costly synthetic efforts, limited availability of chemical systems, and narrow window of microporosity sizes. Herein, flexible mixed matrix membranes with tunable intrinsic microporosity can be facilely fabricated from the coordination assembly of polymer brushes and coordination nanocages. Polymer brushes bearing isophthalic acid side groups can coordinate with Cu2+ to assemble into polymer networks crosslinked by 2 nm nanocages. The semi-flexible feature of the polymer brush and the high crosslinking density of the network prevent the network from collapsing during solvent removal and the obtained aerogels demonstrate hierarchical structure with dual porosity from the crosslinked polymer network and coordination nanocage, respectively. The porosity can be facilely tuned via the amount of Cu2+ by regulating the network crosslinking density and nanocage loadings, and finally, optimized gas separation that surpasses Robeson upper bound for H2 /CO2 can be achieved. The coordination-driven assembly protocol paves a new avenue for the cost-effective synthesis of polymers with intrinsic microporosity and the fabrication of flexible gas separation membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices & South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Binghui Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices & South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Jiadong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices & South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Yuyan Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices & South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
| | - Panchao Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices & South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, P. R. China
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Dellatolas I, Bantawa M, Damerau B, Guo M, Divoux T, Del Gado E, Bischofberger I. Local Mechanism Governs Global Reinforcement of Nanofiller-Hydrogel Composites. ACS NANO 2023; 17:20939-20948. [PMID: 37906739 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c00716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
We reveal the mechanism for the strong reinforcement of attractive nanofiller-hydrogel composites. Measuring the linear viscoelastic properties of hydrogels containing filler nanoparticles, we show that a significant increase of the modulus can be achieved at unexpectedly low volume fractions of nanofillers when the filler-hydrogel interactions are attractive. Using three-dimensional numerical simulations, we identify a general microscopic mechanism for the reinforcement, common to hydrogel matrices of different compositions and concentrations and containing nanofillers of varying sizes. The attractive interactions induce a local increase in the gel density around the nanofillers. The effective fillers, composed of the nanofillers and the densified regions around them, assemble into a percolated network, which constrains the gel displacement and enhances the stress coupling throughout the system. A global reinforcement of the composite is induced as the stresses become strongly coupled. This physical mechanism of reinforcement, which relies only on attractive filler-matrix interactions, provides design strategies for versatile composites that combine low nanofiller fractions with an enhanced mechanical strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ippolyti Dellatolas
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Minaspi Bantawa
- Department of Physics and Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20057, United States
| | - Brian Damerau
- Department of Physics and Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20057, United States
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Thibaut Divoux
- ENSL, CNRS, Laboratoire de Physique, F-69342 Lyon, France
- MultiScale Material Science for Energy and Environment, UMI 3466, CNRS-MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Emanuela Del Gado
- Department of Physics and Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20057, United States
| | - Irmgard Bischofberger
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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11
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Torres XM, Stockdale JR, Adhikari S, Legett SA, Pacheco A, Guajardo JA, Labouriau A. Interplay between Shelf Life and Printability of Silica-Filled Suspensions. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4334. [PMID: 37960014 PMCID: PMC10647575 DOI: 10.3390/polym15214334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Although fumed silica/siloxane suspensions are commonly employed in additive manufacturing technology, the interplay between shelf life, storage conditions, and printability has yet to be explored. In this work, direct ink writing (DIW) was used to print unique three-dimensional structures that required suspensions to retain shape and form while being printed onto a substrate. Suspensions containing varying concentrations of hydrophobic and hydrophilic silica were formulated and evaluated over a time span of thirty days. Storage conditions included low (8%) and high (50%) relative humidity and temperatures ranging from 4 °C to 25 °C. The shelf life of the suspensions was examined by comparing the print quality of pristine and aged samples via rheology, optical microscopy, and mechanical testing. Results showed a significant decrease in printability over time for suspensions containing hydrophilic fumed silica, whereas the printability of suspensions containing hydrophobic fumed silica remained largely unchanged after storage. The findings in this work established the following recommendations for extending the shelf life and printability of suspensions commonly used in DIW technology: (1) higher fumed silica concentrations, (2) low humidity and low temperature storage environments, and (3) the use of hydrophobic fumed silica instead of hydrophilic fumed silica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier M. Torres
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA; (J.R.S.); (S.A.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrea Labouriau
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA; (J.R.S.); (S.A.)
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12
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Yang E, Pressly JF, Natarajan B, Colby R, Winey KI, Riggleman RA. Understanding creep suppression mechanisms in polymer nanocomposites through machine learning. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:7580-7590. [PMID: 37755065 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00898c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
While recent efforts have shown how local structure plays an essential role in the dynamic heterogeneity of homogeneous glass-forming materials, systems containing interfaces such as thin films or composite materials remain poorly understood. It is known that interfaces perturb the molecular packing nearby, however, numerous studies show the dynamics are modified over a much larger range. Here, we examine the dynamics in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) using a combination of simulations and experiments and quantitatively separate the role of polymer packing from other effects on the dynamics, as a function of distance from the nanoparticle surfaces. After showing good qualitative agreement between the simulations and experiments in glassy structure and creep compliance, we use a machine-learned structure indicator, softness, to decompose polymer dynamics in our simulated PNCs into structure-dependent and structure-independent processes. With this decomposition, the free energy barrier for polymer rearrangement can be described as a combination of packing-dependent and packing-independent barriers. We find both barriers are higher near nanoparticles and decrease with applied stress, quantitatively demonstrating that the slow interfacial dynamics is not solely due to polymer packing differences, but also the change of structure-dynamics relationships. Finally, we present how this decomposition can be used to accurately predict strain-time creep curves for PNCs from their static configuration, providing additional insights into the effects of polymer-nanoparticle interfaces on creep suppression in PNCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Entao Yang
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - James F Pressly
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Bharath Natarajan
- ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, Annandale, NJ 08801, USA
| | - Robert Colby
- ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, Annandale, NJ 08801, USA
| | - Karen I Winey
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Robert A Riggleman
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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13
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Tekell MC, Nikolakakou G, Glynos E, Kumar SK. Ionic Conductivity and Mechanical Reinforcement of Well-Dispersed Polymer Nanocomposite Electrolytes. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 37327494 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c04633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles are commonly added to polymer electrolytes to enhance both their mechanical and ion transport properties. Previous work reports significant increases in the ionic conductivity and Li-ion transference in nanocomposite electrolytes with inert, ceramic fillers. The mechanistic understanding of this property enhancement, however, assumes nanoparticle dispersion states─namely, well-dispersed or percolating aggregates─that are seldom quantified using small-angle scattering. In this work, we carefully control the inter-silica nanoparticle structure (where each NP has a diameter D = 14 nm) in a model polymer electrolyte system (PEO:LiTFSI). We find that hydrophobically modified silica NPs are stabilized against aggregation in an organic solvent by inter-NP electrostatic repulsion. Favorable NP surface chemistry and a strongly negative zeta potential promote compatibility with PEO and the resulting electrolyte. Upon prolonged thermal annealing, the nanocomposite electrolytes display structure factors with characteristic interparticle spacings determined by particle volume fraction. Thermal annealing and particle structuring yield significant increases in the storage modulus, G', at 90 °C for the PEO/NP mixtures. We measure the dielectric spectra and blocking-electrode (κb) conductivities from -100 to 100 °C, and the Li+ current fraction (ρLi+) in symmetric Li-metal cells at 90 °C. We find that nanoparticles monotonically decrease the bulk ionic conductivity of PEO:LiTFSI at a rate faster than Maxwell's prediction for transport in composite media, while ρLi+ does not significantly change as a function of particle loading. Thus, when nanoparticle dispersion is controlled in polymer electrolytes, Li+ conductivity monotonically, i.e., (κbρLi+), decreases but favorable mechanical properties are realized. These results imply that percolating aggregates of ceramic surfaces, as opposed to physically separated particles, probably are required to achieve increases in bulk, ionic conductivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marshall C Tekell
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Georgia Nikolakakou
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 711 10 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, 710 03 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Glynos
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 711 10 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Sanat K Kumar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
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14
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Trivedi AR, Whybrow R, Muhr AH, Siviour CR. Experimentally characterising the temperature and rate dependent behaviour of unfilled, and glass microsphere filled, natural rubber. POLYMER 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2023.125773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
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15
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Dhara D, Rahman MA, Abbas Z, Ruzicka E, Benicewicz B, Kumar SK. Melt State Reinforcement of Polyisoprene by Silica Nanoparticles Grafted with Polyisoprene. ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:1325-1330. [PMID: 36346749 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We systematically vary the nanoparticle (NP) dispersion state in composites formed by mixing polyisoprene homopolymers with polyisoprene grafted silica particles, and demonstrate how creep measurements allow us to overcome the limitations of small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) experiments. This allows us to access nearly 13 orders in time in the mechanical response of the resulting composites. We find that a specific NP morphology, a percolating particle network achieved at intermediate graft densities, significantly reinforces the system and has a lower NP percolation loading threshold relative to other morphologies. These important effects of morphology only become apparent when we combine creep measurements with SAOS re-emphasizing the role of synergistically combining methods to access the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites over broad frequency ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deboleena Dhara
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Md Anisur Rahman
- Chemical Science Division, Oakridge National Laboratory, Oakridge, Tennessee 37830, United States.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Zaid Abbas
- Department of Chemistry, Wasit University, Hay Al-Rabea, Kut, Wasit 52001, Iraq.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Eric Ruzicka
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Brian Benicewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Sanat K Kumar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
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16
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Bouyahya C, Bikiaris ND, Zamboulis A, Kyritsis A, Majdoub M, Klonos PA. Crystallization and molecular mobility in renewable semicrystalline copolymers based on polycaprolactone and polyisosorbide. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:9216-9230. [PMID: 36426754 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01198k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A series of novel block copolymers based on two biodegradable polymers, poly(ε-caprolactone), PCL, and poly(isosorbide), PIS, with PIS fractions 5, 10, and 25 wt%, are studied herein. The aim is to assess the effects of the amorphous PIS phase on the properties of the semicrystalline PCL (majority), in addition to the synthesis strategy. The latter involved the polymerization of caprolactone onto initial PIS of low molar mass, resulting, thus, in gradually shorter PCL blocks when the starting amount of PIS is increased. The structure-property relationship investigation, with an emphasis on molecular mobility and crystallization, involves the following sum of complementary techniques: differential scanning calorimetry, dielectric spectroscopy, polarized optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The molecular mobility map for these PCL/PIS and initial PIS is drawn here for the first time. Despite the high glass transition temperature of PIS (Tg ∼ 51 °C) compared to that of PCL (-66 °C), the Tg of the copolymers barely changes, as it is mainly ruled by crystallinity. The latter seems to be facilitated in the copolymers, in both the amount and the rate. The local molecular mobility of PCL and PCL/PIS consists of faster γPCL relaxation which is unaffected in the copolymers, whereas the slower βPCL process arising from the backbone ester group rotation exhibits a systematic deceleration in the presence of PIS. A connection between such local motions and the corresponding segmental α relaxation, observed previously in other polyesters, is also found to be true here. Apart from that, the dielectric Tg as well as the cooperativity of the polymer chains drop moderately, which indicates spatial confinement between the PCL crystals, whereas correlations with the looser lamellar chain packing within the spherulites are gained. The relaxations of initial PIS, i.e., γPIS, βPIS and αPIS, could not be resolved within the copolymers. Along with other properties, such as ionic conductivity, we conclude to the homogeneity of our systems, with sufficient PCL/PIS distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaima Bouyahya
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
- Laboratoire des Interfaces et Matériaux Avancés, Université de Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Nikolaos D Bikiaris
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Alexandra Zamboulis
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Apostolos Kyritsis
- Department of Physics, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15780, Athens, Greece
| | - Mustapha Majdoub
- Laboratoire des Interfaces et Matériaux Avancés, Université de Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia.
| | - Panagiotis A Klonos
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
- Department of Physics, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 15780, Athens, Greece
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17
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BAKAR R, DARVISHI S, ŞENSES E. Enhanced ionic conductivity and mechanical strength in nanocomposite electrolytes with nonlinear polymer architectures. Turk J Chem 2022; 47:242-252. [PMID: 37720861 PMCID: PMC10503998 DOI: 10.55730/1300-0527.3533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Solvent-free polymer-based electrolytes (SPEs) have gained significant attention to realize safer and flexible lithium-ion batteries. Among all polymers used for preparing SPEs electrolytes, poly(ethylene oxide), a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, has been the most prevalent one mainly because of its high ionic conductivity in the molten state, the capability for the dissolution of a wide range of different lithium salts as well as its potential for the environmental health and safety. However, linear PEO is highly semicrystalline at room temperature and thus exhibits weak mechanical performance. Addition of nanoparticles enhances the mechanical strength and effectively decreases the crystallization of linear PEO, yet enhancement in mechanical performance often results in decreased ionic conductivity when compared to the neat linear PEO-based electrolytes; new strategies for decoupling ionic conductivity from mechanical reinforcement are urgently needed. Herein, we used lithium bis(trifluoromethane-sulfonyl)-imide (LiTFSI) salts dissolved in various nonlinear PEO architectures, including stars (4-arms and 8-arms) and hyperbranched matrices, and SiO2 nanoparticles (approximately equal to 50 nm diameter) as fillers. Compared to the linear PEO chains, the room temperature crystallinity was eliminated in the branched PEO architectures. The electrolytes with good dispersion of the nanoparticles in the nonlinear PEOs significantly enhanced ionic conductivity, specifically by approximately equal to 40% for 8-arm star, approximately equal to 28% for 4-arms star, and approximately equal to %16 for hyperbranched matrices, with respect to the composite electrolyte with the linear matrix. Additionally, the rheological results of the SPEs with branched architectures show more than three orders of magnitude enhancement in the low-frequency moduli compared to the neat linear PEO/Li systems. The obtained results demonstrate that the solvent-free composite electrolytes made of branched PEO architectures can be quite promising especially for irregularly shaped and environmentally benign battery applications suitable for medical implants, wearable devices, and stretchable electronics, which require biodegradability and biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Recep BAKAR
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Koç University, İstanbul,
Turkey
| | - Saeid DARVISHI
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Koç University, İstanbul,
Turkey
| | - Erkan ŞENSES
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Koç University, İstanbul,
Turkey
- Boron and Advanced Materials Application and Research Center (KUBAM), İstanbul,
Turkey
- Koç University Surface Science and Technology Center (KUYTAM), İstanbul,
Turkey
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18
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Burroughs MC, Schloemer TH, Congreve DN, Mai DJ. Gelation Dynamics during Photo-Cross-Linking of Polymer Nanocomposite Hydrogels. ACS POLYMERS AU 2022; 3:217-227. [PMID: 37065714 PMCID: PMC10103194 DOI: 10.1021/acspolymersau.2c00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Embedding nanomaterials into polymer hydrogels enables the design of functional materials with tailored chemical, mechanical, and optical properties. Nanocapsules that protect interior cargo and disperse readily through a polymeric matrix have drawn particular interest for their ability to integrate chemically incompatible systems and to further expand the parameter space for polymer nanocomposite hydrogels. The properties of polymer nanocomposite hydrogels depend on the material composition and processing route, which were explored systematically in this work. The gelation kinetics of network-forming polymer solutions with and without silica-coated nanocapsules bearing polyethylene glycol (PEG) surface ligands were investigated using in situ dynamic rheology measurements. Network-forming polymers comprised either 4-arm or 8-arm star PEG with terminal anthracene groups, which dimerize upon irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light. The PEG-anthracene solutions exhibited rapid gel formation upon UV exposure (365 nm); gel formation was observed as a crossover from liquid-like to solid-like behavior during in situ small-amplitude oscillatory shear rheology. This crossover time was non-monotonic with polymer concentration. Far below the overlap concentration (c/c* ≪ 1), spatially separated PEG-anthracene molecules were subject to forming intramolecular loops over intermolecular cross-links, thereby slowing the gelation process. Near the polymer overlap concentration (c/c* ∼ 1), rapid gelation was attributed to the ideal proximity of anthracene end groups from neighboring polymer molecules. Above the overlap concentration (c/c* > 1), increased solution viscosities hindered molecular diffusion, thereby reducing the frequency of dimerization reactions. Adding nanocapsules to PEG-anthracene solutions resulted in faster gelation than nanocapsule-free PEG-anthracene solutions with equivalent effective polymer concentrations. The final elastic modulus of nanocomposite hydrogels increased with nanocapsule volume fraction, signifying synergistic mechanical reinforcement by nanocapsules despite not being cross-linked into the polymer network. Overall, these findings quantify the impact of nanocapsule addition on the gelation kinetics and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposite hydrogels, which are promising materials for applications in optoelectronics, biotechnology, and additive manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C. Burroughs
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California94305, United States
| | - Tracy H. Schloemer
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California94305, United States
| | - Daniel N. Congreve
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California94305, United States
| | - Danielle J. Mai
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California94305, United States
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19
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Sun R, Yang J, Patil S, Liu Y, Zuo X, Lee A, Yang W, Wang Y, Cheng S. Relaxation dynamics of deformed polymer nanocomposites as revealed by small-angle scattering and rheology. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:8867-8884. [PMID: 36377377 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00775d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruikun Sun
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Shalin Patil
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Yun Liu
- Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA
| | - Xiaobing Zuo
- X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, USA
| | - Andre Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Wei Yang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA.
| | - Shiwang Cheng
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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20
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Local conformations and heterogeneities in structures and dynamics of isotactic polypropylene adsorbed onto carbon fiber. POLYMER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.125584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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21
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Qu J, Chen Q, Huang W, Zhang L, Liu J. Dispersion and Diffusion Mechanism of Nanofillers with Different Geometries in Bottlebrush Polymers: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulation. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:7761-7770. [PMID: 36169228 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c04389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The dispersion and diffusion mechanism of nanofillers in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) are crucial for understanding the properties of PNCs, which is of great significance for the design of novel materials. Herein, we investigate the dispersion and diffusion behavior of two geometries of nanofillers, namely, spherical nanoparticles (SNPs) and nanorods (NRs), in bottlebrush polymers by utilizing coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. With the increase of the interaction strength between the nanofiller and polymer (εnp), both the SNPs and NRs experience a typical "aggregated phase-dispersed phase-bridged phase" state transition in the bottlebrush polymer matrix. We evaluate the validity of the Stokes-Einstein (SE) equation for predicting the diffusion coefficient of nanofillers in bottlebrush polymers. The results demonstrate that the SE predictions are slightly larger than the simulated values for small SNP sizes because the local viscosity that is felt by small SNPs in the densely grafted bottlebrush polymer does not differ much from the macroscopic viscosity. The relative size of the length of the NRs (L) and the radius of gyration (Rg) of the bottlebrush polymer play a key role in the diffusion of NRs. In addition, we characterize the anisotropic diffusion of NRs to analyze their translational and rotational diffusion. The motion of NRs in the direction perpendicular to the end-to-end vector is more hindered, indicating that there is a strong coupling between the rotation of NRs and the motion of the polymer. The NR motion shows stronger anisotropic diffusion at short time scales because of the steric effects generated by side chains of the bottlebrush polymer. In general, our results provide a fundamental understanding of the dispersion of nanofillers and the microscopic mechanism of nanofiller diffusion in bottlebrush polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Qu
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Qionghai Chen
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanhui Huang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, 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 100029, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, 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 100029, People's Republic of China.,State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, People's Republic of China
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22
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Power AJ, Papananou H, Rissanou AN, Labardi M, Chrissopoulou K, Harmandaris V, Anastasiadis SH. Dynamics of Polymer Chains in Poly(ethylene oxide)/Silica Nanocomposites via a Combined Computational and Experimental Approach. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:7745-7760. [PMID: 36136347 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c04325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The dynamics of polymer chains in poly(ethylene oxide)/silica (PEO/SiO2) nanoparticle nanohybrids have been investigated via a combined computational and experimental approach involving atomistic molecular dynamics simulations and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) measurements. The complementarity of the approaches allows us to study systems with different polymer molecular weights, nanoparticle radii, and compositions across a broad range of temperatures. We study the effects of spatial confinement, which is induced by the nanoparticles, and chain adsorption on the polymer's structure and dynamics. The investigation of the static properties of the nanocomposites via detailed atomistic simulations revealed a heterogeneous polymer density layer at the vicinity of the PEO/SiO2 interface that exhibited an intense maximum close to the inorganic surface, whereas the bulk density was reached for distances ∼1-1.2 nm away from the nanoparticle. For small volume fractions of nanoparticles, the polymer dynamics, probed by the atomistic simulations of low-molecular-weight chains at high temperatures, are consistent with the presence of a thin adsorbed layer that exhibits slow dynamics, with the dynamics far away from the nanoparticle being similar to those in the bulk. However, for high volume fractions of nanoparticles (strong confinement), the dynamics of all polymer chains were predicted slower than that in the bulk. On the other hand, similar dynamics were found experimentally for both the local β-process and the segmental dynamics for high-molecular-weight systems measured at temperatures below the melting temperature of the polymer, which were probed by DRS. These differences can be attributed to various parameters, including systems of different molecular weights and nanoparticle states of dispersion, the different temperature range studied by the different methods, the potential presence of a reduced-mobility PEO/SiO2 interfacial layer that does not contribute to the dielectric spectrum, and the presence of amorphous-crystalline interfaces in the experimental samples that may lead to a different dynamical behaviors of the PEO chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J Power
- Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Crete, Heraklion 70013, Greece.,Institute of Applied and Computational Mathematics, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 70013, Greece
| | - Hellen Papananou
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 70013, Greece.,Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, Heraklion 71003, Greece
| | - Anastassia N Rissanou
- Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Crete, Heraklion 70013, Greece.,Computation-Based Science and Technology Research Center, The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia 2121, Cyprus
| | - Massimiliano Labardi
- CNR-IPCF, c/o Physics Department, University of Pisa, Largo Pontecorvo 3, Pisa 56127, Italy
| | - Kiriaki Chrissopoulou
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 70013, Greece
| | - Vagelis Harmandaris
- Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Crete, Heraklion 70013, Greece.,Institute of Applied and Computational Mathematics, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 70013, Greece.,Computation-Based Science and Technology Research Center, The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia 2121, Cyprus
| | - Spiros H Anastasiadis
- Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion 70013, Greece.,Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, P.O. Box 2208, Heraklion 71003, Greece
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23
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Li X, Liu J, Zheng Z. Recent progress of elastomer–silica nanocomposites toward green tires:simulation and experiment. POLYM INT 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.6454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiu Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Hubei University Wuhan 430062 China
| | - Jun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Beijing City on Preparation and Processing of Novel Polymer Materials Beijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing 100029 China
| | - Zi‐Jian Zheng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Hubei University Wuhan 430062 China
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24
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Sakib N, Koh YP, Simon SL. The absolute heat capacity of polymer grafted nanoparticles using fast scanning calorimetry*. POLYM ENG SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pen.26078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nazam Sakib
- Department of Chemical Engineering Texas Tech University Lubbock Texas USA
| | - Yung P. Koh
- Department of Chemical Engineering Texas Tech University Lubbock Texas USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
| | - Sindee L. Simon
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina USA
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25
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Zhou X, Yang J, Yang J, Yin P. Topological Interaction among Molecular Cluster Assemblies Affords Tunable Viscoelasticity. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:7009-7015. [PMID: 35895296 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c01817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the assemblies of subnanoscale polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, topological interaction makes the dominant contribution to their viscoelasticity with broad tunability. The assembly molecules are designed with dumbbell, triangular, and tetrahedral shapes, and they demonstrate an intrinsic glassy feature with neither long-range ordering nor supramolecular assembly formation in their bulk. Their viscoelasticity can be broadly tuned through the tailoring of molecular topologies, while the trimer and tetramer assemblies afford elastic moduli comparable to those of rubbers (∼0.5 MPa) even 80 K above their glass transition temperatures. Molecular dynamics studies reveal the topological constraints resulting from the topology-disrupted cooperative dynamics among the cluster assemblies, and this finally leads to the typical caging dynamics of the structural units and the elasticity of the bulk materials. Further broadband dielectric spectroscopy studies uncover the unique hierarchical relaxation dynamics, inspiring the strategy for the decoupling of mechanical strengths and toughness for the design of impact resistant materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhou
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Junsheng Yang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Jie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Panchao Yin
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
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26
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Rheological properties of crosslinked unentangled and entangled Poly(methyl acrylate) nanocomposite networks. POLYMER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.125150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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27
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Lei Z, Zhang Z, Xu L, Yao J, Chen F, Liu Y. GUS Aerogel Modified Phenolic Nanocomposites: Effects of Inhomogeneous Cross-Linking Characteristics and Interfacial Phase Properties on the Mechanical Behavior. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Lei
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhongzhou Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiayu Yao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuhong Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, Shaanxi, China
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28
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A Comparison of Electrical Breakdown Models for Polyethylene Nanocomposites. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12126157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
The development of direct current high-voltage power cables requires insulating materials having excellent electrically insulation properties. Experiments show that appropriate nanodoping can improve the breakdown strength of polyethylene (PE) nanocomposites. Research indicates that traps, free volumes, and molecular displacement are key factors affecting the breakdown strength. This study comprehensively considered the space charge transport, electron energy gain, and molecular chain long-distance movement during the electrical breakdown process. In addition, we established three simulation models focusing on the electric field distortion due to space charges captured by traps, the energy gain of mobile electrons in free volumes, the free volume expansion caused by long-distance movement of molecular chains under the Coulomb force, and the energy gained by the electrons moving in the enlarged free volumes. The three simulation models considered the electrical breakdown modulated by space charges, with a maximum electric field criterion and a maximum electron energy criterion, and the electrical breakdown modulated by the molecular displacement (EBMD), with a maximum electron energy criterion. These three models were utilized to simulate the breakdown strength dependent on the nanofiller content of PE nanocomposites. The simulation results of the EBMD model coincided best with the experimental results. It was revealed that the breakdown electric field of PE nanodielectrics is improved synergistically by both the strong trapping effect of traps and the strong binding effect of molecular chains in the interfacial regions.
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29
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Jhalaria M, Jimenez AM, Mathur R, Tekell MC, Huang Y, Narayanan S, Benicewicz BC, Kumar SK. Long-Term Aging in Miscible Polymer Nanocomposites. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mayank Jhalaria
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Andrew M. Jimenez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Reha Mathur
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Marshall C. Tekell
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Yucheng Huang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Suresh Narayanan
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Brian C. Benicewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Sanat K. Kumar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
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30
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Zhang H, Zhu H, Xu C, Li Y, Liu Q, Wang S, Yan S. Effect of nanoparticle size on the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites. POLYMER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.124944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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31
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Kimura T, Hayashi M. Exploring the effects of bound rubber phase on the physical properties of nano-silica composites with a vitrimer-like bond exchangeable matrix. Polym J 2022. [DOI: 10.1038/s41428-022-00654-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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32
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Jiang L, Griffiths P, Balouet J, Faure T, Lyons R, Fustin CA, Baeza GP. Magneto-Responsive Nanocomposites with a Metal–Ligand Supramolecular Matrix. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Liuyin Jiang
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, UCBL, CNRS, MATEIS, UMR5510, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Pablo Griffiths
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, UCBL, CNRS, MATEIS, UMR5510, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Julie Balouet
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, UCBL, CNRS, MATEIS, UMR5510, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Titouan Faure
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, UCBL, CNRS, MATEIS, UMR5510, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Rowanne Lyons
- Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences (IMCN), Bio and Soft Matter Division (BSMA), Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Louis Pasteur 1, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Charles-André Fustin
- Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences (IMCN), Bio and Soft Matter Division (BSMA), Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Louis Pasteur 1, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Guilhem P. Baeza
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, UCBL, CNRS, MATEIS, UMR5510, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
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33
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Zhao M, Wu HM, Zhu Z, Wu JL, Kang WH, Sue HJ. Preparation of Polyethylene Nanocomposites Based on Polyethylene Grafted Exfoliated α-Zirconium Phosphate. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhen Zhao
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Hong-Mao Wu
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
- Polyolefin Department, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Mailiao, Yunlin County 63801, Taiwan
| | - Zewen Zhu
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Jen-Long Wu
- Polyolefin Department, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Mailiao, Yunlin County 63801, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Hao Kang
- Polyolefin Department, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Mailiao, Yunlin County 63801, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Jue Sue
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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34
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Probing the Dynamic Structural Evolution of End-Functionalized Polybutadiene/Organo-Clay Nanocomposite Gels before and after Yielding by Nonlinear Rheology and 1H Double-Quantum NMR. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14081518. [PMID: 35458271 PMCID: PMC9031593 DOI: 10.3390/polym14081518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the structural evolution process after the yielding of networks in polymer nanocomposites can provide significant insights into the design and fabrication of high-performance nanocomposites. In this work, using hydroxyl-terminated 1,4-polybutadiene (HTPB)/organo-clay nanocomposite gel as a model, we explored the yielding and recovery process of a polymer network. Linear rheology results revealed the formation of a nanocomposite gel with a house-of-cards structure due to the fully exfoliated 6 to 8 wt% organo-clays. Within this range, nonlinear rheologic experiments were introduced to yield the gel network, and the corresponding recovery processes were monitored. It was found that the main driving force of network reconstruction was the polymer–clay interaction, and the rotation of clay sheets played an important role in arousing stress overshoots. By proton double-quantum (1H DQ) NMR spectroscopy, residual dipolar coupling and its distribution contributed by HTPB segments anchored on clay sheets were extracted to unveil the physical network information. During the yielding process of a house-of-cards network, e.g., 8 wt% organo-clay, nearly one-fourth of physical cross-linking was broken. Based on the rheology and 1H DQ NMR results, a tentative model was proposed to illustrate the yielding and recovery of the network in HTPB/organo-clay nanocomposite gel.
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35
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Ge S, Samanta S, Li B, Carden GP, Cao PF, Sokolov AP. Unravelling the Mechanism of Viscoelasticity in Polymers with Phase-Separated Dynamic Bonds. ACS NANO 2022; 16:4746-4755. [PMID: 35234439 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Incorporation of dynamic (reversible) bonds within polymer structure enables properties such as self-healing, shape transformation, and recyclability. These dynamic bonds, sometimes refer as stickers, can form clusters by phase-segregation from the polymer matrix. These systems can exhibit interesting viscoelastic properties with an unusually high and extremely long rubbery plateau. Understanding how viscoelastic properties of these materials are controlled by the hierarchical structure is crucial for engineering of recyclable materials for various future applications. Here we studied such systems made from short telechelic polydimethylsiloxane chains by employing a broad range of experimental techniques. We demonstrate that formation of a percolated network of interfacial layers surrounding clusters enhances mechanical modulus in these phase-separated systems, whereas single chain hopping between the clusters results in macroscopic flow. On the basis of the results, we formulated a general scenario describing viscoelastic properties of phase-separated dynamic polymers, which will foster development of recyclable materials with tunable rheological properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirui Ge
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Subarna Samanta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Bingrui Li
- The Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - G Peyton Carden
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Peng-Fei Cao
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
| | - Alexei P Sokolov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
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36
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Abstract
The lightweight and high-strength functional nanocomposites are important in many practical applications. Natural biomaterials with excellent mechanical properties provide inspiration for improving the performance of composite materials. Previous studies have usually focused on the bionic design of the material's microstructure, sometimes overlooking the importance of the interphase in the nanocomposite system. In this Perspective, we will focus on the construction and control of the interphase in confined space and the connection between the interphase and the macroscopic properties of the materials. We shall survey the current understanding of the critical size of the interphase and discuss the general rules of interphase formation. We hope to raise awareness of the interphase concept and encourage more experimental and simulation studies on this subject, with the aim of an optimal design and controllable preparation of polymer nanocomposite materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Huang
- Key
Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology
of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic
of China
- School
of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic
of China
| | - Jiajia Zhou
- South
China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School
of Molecular Science and Engineering, South
China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong
Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials
and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingjie Liu
- Key
Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology
of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, People’s Republic
of China
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37
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Zhou Y, Schweizer KS. Theory for the Elementary Time Scale of Stress Relaxation in Polymer Nanocomposites. ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:199-204. [PMID: 35574769 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We construct a microscopic theory for the elementary time scale of stress relaxation in dense polymer nanocomposites. The key dynamical event is proposed to involve the rearrangement of cohesive segment-nanoparticle (NP) tight bridging complexes via an activated small NP dilational motion, which allows the confined segments to relax. The corresponding activation energy is determined by the NP bridge coordination number and potential of mean force barrier. The activation energy varies nonlinearly with interfacial cohesion strength and NP concentration, and a universal master curve is predicted. The theory is in very good agreement with experiments. The underlying ideas are relevant to a variety of other hybrid macromolecular materials involving hard particles and soft macromolecules.
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38
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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
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39
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Salatto D, Carrillo JMY, Endoh MK, Taniguchi T, Yavitt BM, Masui T, Kishimoto H, Tyagi M, Ribbe AE, Garcia Sakai V, Kruteva M, Sumpter BG, Farago B, Richter D, Nagao M, Koga T. Structural and Dynamical Roles of Bound Polymer Chains in Rubber Reinforcement. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Salatto
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2275, United States
| | - Jan-Michael Y. Carrillo
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Maya K. Endoh
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2275, United States
| | - Takashi Taniguchi
- Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyoto University, Katsura-Campus, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan
| | - Benjamin M. Yavitt
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2275, United States
| | - Tomomi Masui
- Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., 1-1, 2-chome, Tsutsui-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 671-0027, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kishimoto
- Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., 1-1, 2-chome, Tsutsui-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 671-0027, Japan
| | - Madhusudan Tyagi
- NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899-6102, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Alexander E. Ribbe
- Department for Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Victoria Garcia Sakai
- ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Facility, Science and Technology Facilities Council Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot OX11 0QX, U.K
| | - Margarita Kruteva
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Bobby G. Sumpter
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Bela Farago
- Institut Laue−Langevin, 6 rue Jules Horowitz, BP 156-38042, Grenoble Cedex 9 38000, France
| | - Dieter Richter
- Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Michihiro Nagao
- NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899-6102, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Tadanori Koga
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2275, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
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40
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Darvishi S, Nazeer MA, Tyagi M, Zhang Q, Narayanan S, Kizilel S, Senses E. Nonlinear Architectures Can Alter the Dynamics of Polymer–Nanoparticle Composites. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Darvishi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Koc University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Muhammad Anwaar Nazeer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Koc University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- School of Engineering and Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad 37610, Pakistan
| | - Madhusudan Tyagi
- NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8562, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-2115, United States
| | - Qingteng Zhang
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Suresh Narayanan
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Seda Kizilel
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Koc University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Erkan Senses
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Koc University, Sariyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
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41
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Li ZY, Song YH, Zheng Q. Payne Effect and Weak Overshoot in Rubber Nanocomposites. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-021-2643-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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42
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Fernández-de-Alba C, Jimenez AM, Abbasi M, Kumar SK, Saalwächter K, Baeza GP. On the Immobilized Polymer Fraction in Attractive Nanocomposites: Tg Gradient versus Interfacial Layer. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Fernández-de-Alba
- Univ Lyon, INSA-Lyon, CNRS, IMP, UMR 5223, Service RMN Polymères de l’ICL, Villeurbanne F-69621, France
| | - Andrew M. Jimenez
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Mozhdeh Abbasi
- Institut für Physik, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) D-06099, Germany
| | - Sanat K. Kumar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Kay Saalwächter
- Institut für Physik, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) D-06099, Germany
| | - Guilhem P. Baeza
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, UCBL, CNRS, MATEIS, UMR5510, Villeurbanne 69621, France
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43
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Yin J, Xiao H, Xu P, Yang J, Fan Z, Ke Y, Ouyang X, Liu GX, Sun TL, Tang L, Cheng SZD, Yin P. Polymer Topology Reinforced Synergistic Interactions among Nanoscale Molecular Clusters for Impact Resistance with Facile Processability and Recoverability. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202108196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jia‐Fu Yin
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510640 China
| | - Haiyan Xiao
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510640 China
| | - Peidong Xu
- School of Civil Engineering and Transportation State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science South China University of, Technology Guangzhou 510640 China
| | - Junsheng Yang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510640 China
| | - Zhiwei Fan
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510640 China
| | - Yubin Ke
- China Spallation Neutron Source Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Neutron Scattering Science and Technology Chinese Academy of Science Dongguan 523000 China
| | - Xikai Ouyang
- Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials College of Material Science and Engineering Donghua University Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Geng Xin Liu
- Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials College of Material Science and Engineering Donghua University Shanghai 201620 China
| | - Tao Lin Sun
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510640 China
| | - Liqun Tang
- School of Civil Engineering and Transportation State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science South China University of, Technology Guangzhou 510640 China
| | - Stephen Z. D. Cheng
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510640 China
| | - Panchao Yin
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510640 China
- China Spallation Neutron Source Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Neutron Scattering Science and Technology Chinese Academy of Science Dongguan 523000 China
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44
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Baeza GP. Recent advances on the structure–properties relationship of multiblock copolymers. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20210406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guilhem P. Baeza
- Univ. Lyon, INSA‐Lyon, CNRS, MATEIS, UMR 5510 Villeurbanne France
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45
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Skountzos EN, Karadima KS, Mavrantzas VG. Structure and Dynamics of Highly Attractive Polymer Nanocomposites in the Semi-Dilute Regime: The Role of Interfacial Domains and Bridging Chains. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:2749. [PMID: 34451287 PMCID: PMC8400934 DOI: 10.3390/polym13162749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Detailed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are employed to study how the presence of adsorbed domains and nanoparticle bridging chains affect the structural, conformational, thermodynamic, and dynamic properties of attractive polymer nanocomposite melts in the semi-dilute regime. As a model system we have chosen an unentangled poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) matrix containing amorphous spherical silica nanoparticles with different diameters and at different concentrations. Emphasis is placed on properties such as the polymer mass density profile around nanoparticles, the compressibility of the system, the mean squared end-to-end distance of PEG chains, their orientational and diffusive dynamics, the single chain form factor, and the scattering functions. Our analysis reveals a significant impact of the adsorbed, interfacial polymer on the microscopic dynamic and conformational properties of the nanocomposite, especially under conditions favoring higher surface-to-volume ratios (e.g., for small nanoparticle sizes at fixed nanoparticle loading, or for higher silica concentrations). Simultaneously, adsorbed polymer chains adopt graft-like conformations, a feature that allows them to considerably extend away from the nanoparticle surface to form bridges with other nanoparticles. These bridges drive the formation of a nanoparticle network whose strength (number of tie chains per nanoparticle) increases substantially with increasing concentration of the polymer matrix in nanoparticles, or with decreasing nanoparticle size at fixed nanoparticle concentration. The presence of hydroxyl groups at the ends of PEG chains plays a key role in the formation of the network. If hydroxyl groups are substituted by methoxy ones, the simulations reveal that the number of bridging chains per nanoparticle decreases dramatically, thus the network formed is less dense and less strong mechanically, and has a smaller impact on the properties of the nanocomposite. Our simulations predict further that the isothermal compressibility and thermal expansion coefficient of PEG-silica nanocomposites are significantly lower than those of pure PEG, with their values decreasing practically linear with increasing concentration of the nanocomposite in nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel N. Skountzos
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras and FORTH-ICE/HT, GR 26504 Patras, Greece; (E.N.S.); (K.S.K.)
| | - Katerina S. Karadima
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras and FORTH-ICE/HT, GR 26504 Patras, Greece; (E.N.S.); (K.S.K.)
| | - Vlasis G. Mavrantzas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras and FORTH-ICE/HT, GR 26504 Patras, Greece; (E.N.S.); (K.S.K.)
- Particle Technology Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, CH 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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46
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Yin JF, Xiao H, Xu P, Yang J, Fan Z, Ke Y, Ouyang X, Liu GX, Sun TL, Tang L, Cheng SZD, Yin P. Polymer Topology Reinforced Synergistic Interactions among Nanoscale Molecular Clusters for Impact Resistance with Facile Processability and Recoverability. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:22212-22218. [PMID: 34375017 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202108196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The intrinsic conflicts between mechanical performances and processability are main challenges to develop cost-effective impact-resistant materials from polymers and their composites. Herein, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSSs) are integrated as side chains to the polymer backbones. The one-dimension (1D) rigid topology imposes strong space confinements to realize synergistic interactions among POSS units, reinforcing the correlations among polymer chains. The afforded composites demonstrate unprecedented mechanical properties with ultra-stretchability, high rate-dependent strength, superior impact-resistant capacity as well as feasible processability/recoverability. The hierarchical structures of the hybrid polymers enable the co-existence of multiple dynamic relaxations that are responsible for fast energy dissipation and high mechanical strengths. The effective synergistic correlation strategy paves a new pathway for the design of advanced cluster-based materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Fu Yin
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Haiyan Xiao
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Peidong Xu
- School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science, South China University of, Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Junsheng Yang
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Zhiwei Fan
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Yubin Ke
- China Spallation Neutron Source, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Neutron Scattering Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Dongguan, 523000, China
| | - Xikai Ouyang
- Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Geng Xin Liu
- Center for Advanced Low-Dimension Materials, College of Material Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Tao Lin Sun
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Liqun Tang
- School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science, South China University of, Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Stephen Z D Cheng
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Panchao Yin
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China.,China Spallation Neutron Source, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Neutron Scattering Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Dongguan, 523000, China
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47
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Yavitt BM, Salatto D, Zhou Y, Huang Z, Endoh M, Wiegart L, Bocharova V, Ribbe AE, Sokolov AP, Schweizer KS, Koga T. Collective Nanoparticle Dynamics Associated with Bridging Network Formation in Model Polymer Nanocomposites. ACS NANO 2021; 15:11501-11513. [PMID: 34128655 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c01283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The addition of nanoparticles (NPs) to polymers is a powerful method to improve the mechanical and other properties of macromolecular materials. Such hybrid polymer-particle systems are also rich in fundamental soft matter physics. Among several factors contributing to mechanical reinforcement, a polymer-mediated NP network is considered to be the most important in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs). Here, we present an integrated experimental-theoretical study of the collective NP dynamics in model PNCs using X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy and microscopic statistical mechanics theory. Silica NPs dispersed in unentangled or entangled poly(2-vinylpyridine) matrices over a range of NP loadings are used. Static collective structure factors of the NP subsystems at temperatures above the bulk glass transition temperature reveal the formation of a network-like microstructure via polymer-mediated bridges at high NP loadings above the percolation threshold. The NP collective relaxation times are up to 3 orders of magnitude longer than the self-diffusion limit of isolated NPs and display a rich dependence with observation wavevector and NP loading. A mode-coupling theory dynamical analysis that incorporates the static polymer-mediated bridging structure and collective motions of NPs is performed. It captures well both the observed scattering wavevector and NP loading dependences of the collective NP dynamics in the unentangled polymer matrix, with modest quantitative deviations emerging for the entangled PNC samples. Additionally, we identify an unusual and weak temperature dependence of collective NP dynamics, in qualitative contrast with the mechanical response. Hence, the present study has revealed key aspects of the collective motions of NPs connected by polymer bridges in contact with a viscous adsorbing polymer medium and identifies some outstanding remaining challenges for the theoretical understanding of these complex soft materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M Yavitt
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2275, United States
| | - Daniel Salatto
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2275, United States
| | - Yuxing Zhou
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Zhixing Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2275, United States
| | - Maya Endoh
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2275, United States
| | - Lutz Wiegart
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11793, United States
| | - Vera Bocharova
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Alexander E Ribbe
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Alexei P Sokolov
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Kenneth S Schweizer
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Tadanori Koga
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2275, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3400, United States
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48
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Chang Z, Wang Y, Zhang Z, Gao K, Hou G, Shen J, Zhang L, Liu J. Creep behavior of polymer nanocomposites: Insights from molecular dynamics simulation. POLYMER 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.123895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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49
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Cui W, You W, Sun Z, Yu W. Decoupled Polymer Dynamics in Weakly Attractive Poly(methyl methacrylate)/Silica Nanocomposites. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhi Cui
- Advanced Rheology Institute, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix Composite Materials, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Wei You
- Advanced Rheology Institute, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix Composite Materials, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoyan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, P. R. China
| | - Wei Yu
- Advanced Rheology Institute, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix Composite Materials, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, P. R. China
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50
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Lin EY, Frischknecht AL, Riggleman RA. Chain and Segmental Dynamics in Polymer–Nanoparticle Composites with High Nanoparticle Loading. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c00206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Y. Lin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Amalie L. Frischknecht
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, United States
| | - Robert A. Riggleman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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