1
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Yin JF, Amidani L, Chen J, Li M, Xue B, Lai Y, Kvashnina K, Nyman M, Yin P. Spatiotemporal Studies of Soluble Inorganic Nanostructures with X-rays and Neutrons. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202310953. [PMID: 37749062 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202310953] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
This Review addresses the use of X-ray and neutron scattering as well as X-ray absorption to describe how inorganic nanostructured materials assemble, evolve, and function in solution. We first provide an overview of techniques and instrumentation (both large user facilities and benchtop). We review recent studies of soluble inorganic nanostructure assembly, covering the disciplines of materials synthesis, processes in nature, nuclear materials, and the widely applicable fundamental processes of hydrophobic interactions and ion pairing. Reviewed studies cover size regimes and length scales ranging from sub-Ångström (coordination chemistry and ion pairing) to several nanometers (molecular clusters, i.e. polyoxometalates, polyoxocations, and metal-organic polyhedra), to the mesoscale (supramolecular assembly processes). Reviewed studies predominantly exploit 1) SAXS/WAXS/SANS (small- and wide-angle X-ray or neutron scattering), 2) PDF (pair-distribution function analysis of X-ray total scattering), and 3) XANES and EXAFS (X-ray absorption near-edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure, respectively). While the scattering techniques provide structural information, X-ray absorption yields the oxidation state in addition to the local coordination. Our goal for this Review is to provide information and inspiration for the inorganic/materials science communities that may benefit from elucidating the role of solution speciation in natural and synthetic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Fu 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, China
| | - Lucia Amidani
- The Rossendorf Beamline at ESRF, The European Synchrotron, CS40220, 38043, Grenoble Cedex 9, France
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) P.O. Box 510119, 01314, Dresden, Germany
| | - 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, China
| | - Mu Li
- Institute of Advanced Science Facilities, Shenzhen, 518107, 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, 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, China
| | - Kristina Kvashnina
- The Rossendorf Beamline at ESRF, The European Synchrotron, CS40220, 38043, Grenoble Cedex 9, France
- Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) P.O. Box 510119, 01314, Dresden, Germany
| | - May Nyman
- Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97330, USA
| | - 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, China
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2
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Genix AC, Oberdisse J. On the absence of structure factors in concentrated colloidal suspensions and nanocomposites. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2023; 46:46. [PMID: 37326783 DOI: 10.1140/epje/s10189-023-00306-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Small-angle scattering is a commonly used tool to analyze the dispersion of nanoparticles in all kinds of matrices. Besides some obvious cases, the associated structure factor is often complex and cannot be reduced to a simple interparticle interaction, like excluded volume only. In recent experiments, we have encountered a surprising absence of structure factors (S(q) = 1) in scattering from rather concentrated polymer nanocomposites (Genix et al. in ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 11(19):17863-17872, 2019). In this case, quite pure form factor scattering is observed. This somewhat "ideal" structure is further investigated here making use of reverse Monte Carlo simulations in order to shed light on the corresponding nanoparticle structure in space. By fixing the target "experimental" apparent structure factor to one over a given q-range in these simulations, we show that it is possible to find dispersions with this property. The influence of nanoparticle volume fraction and polydispersity has been investigated, and it was found that for high concentrations only a high polydispersity allows reaching a state of S = 1. The underlying structure in real space is discussed in terms of the pair-correlation function, which evidences the importance of attractive interactions between polydisperse nanoparticles. The calculation of partial structure factors shows that there is no specific ordering of large or small particles, but that the presence of attractive interactions together with polydispersity allows reaching an almost "structureless" state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Caroline Genix
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, 34095, Montpellier, France
| | - Julian Oberdisse
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, 34095, Montpellier, France.
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3
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Genix AC, Bocharova V, Carroll B, Dieudonné-George P, Chauveau E, Sokolov AP, Oberdisse J. Influence of the Graft Length on Nanocomposite Structure and Interfacial Dynamics. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:748. [PMID: 36839117 PMCID: PMC9960434 DOI: 10.3390/nano13040748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Both the dispersion state of nanoparticles (NPs) within polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) and the dynamical state of the polymer altered by the presence of the NP/polymer interfaces have a strong impact on the macroscopic properties of PNCs. In particular, mechanical properties are strongly affected by percolation of hard phases, which may be NP networks, dynamically modified polymer regions, or combinations of both. In this article, the impact on dispersion and dynamics of surface modification of the NPs by short monomethoxysilanes with eight carbons in the alkyl part (C8) is studied. As a function of grafting density and particle content, polymer dynamics is followed by broadband dielectric spectroscopy and analyzed by an interfacial layer model, whereas the particle dispersion is investigated by small-angle X-ray scattering and analyzed by reverse Monte Carlo simulations. NP dispersions are found to be destabilized only at the highest grafting. The interfacial layer formalism allows the clear identification of the volume fraction of interfacial polymer, with its characteristic time. The strongest dynamical slow-down in the polymer is found for unmodified NPs, while grafting weakens this effect progressively. The combination of all three techniques enables a unique measurement of the true thickness of the interfacial layer, which is ca. 5 nm. Finally, the comparison between longer (C18) and shorter (C8) grafts provides unprecedented insight into the efficacy and tunability of surface modification. It is shown that C8-grafting allows for a more progressive tuning, which goes beyond a pure mass effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Caroline Genix
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, F-34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Vera Bocharova
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Bobby Carroll
- Department of Physics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | | | - Edouard Chauveau
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, F-34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Alexei P. Sokolov
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Julian Oberdisse
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, F-34095 Montpellier, France
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4
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Genix AC, Bocharova V, Carroll B, Dieudonné-George P, Chauveau E, Sokolov AP, Oberdisse J. How Tuning Interfaces Impacts the Dynamics and Structure of Polymer Nanocomposites Simultaneously. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:7496-7510. [PMID: 36700938 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c18083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Fundamental understanding of the macroscopic properties of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) remains difficult due to the complex interplay of microscopic dynamics and structure, namely interfacial layer relaxations and three-dimensional nanoparticle (NP) arrangements. The effect of surface modification by alkyl methoxysilanes at different grafting densities has been studied in PNCs made of poly(2-vinylpyridine) and spherical 20 nm silica NPs. The segmental dynamics has been probed by broadband dielectric spectroscopy and the filler structure by small-angle X-ray scattering and reverse Monte Carlo simulations. By combining the particle configurations with the interfacial layer properties, it is shown how surface modification tunes the attractive polymer-particle interactions: bare NPs slow down the polymer interfacial layer dynamics over a thickness of ca. 5 nm, while grafting screens these interactions. Our analysis of interparticle spacings and segmental dynamics provides unprecedented insights into the effect of surface modification on the main characteristics of PNCs: particle interactions and polymer interfacial layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Caroline Genix
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, F-34095Montpellier, France
| | - Vera Bocharova
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee37831, United States
| | - Bobby Carroll
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee37831, United States
| | | | - Edouard Chauveau
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, F-34095Montpellier, France
| | - Alexei P Sokolov
- Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee37831, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee37996, United States
| | - Julian Oberdisse
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, F-34095Montpellier, France
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5
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Wang Y, Sun M, Zhang H, Lu Y, You W, Bian F, Yu W. Quantitative Correlation between Hierarchical Nanofiller Structure and Rheology of Polymer/Fumed Silica Nanocomposites. Macromolecules 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c02080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Wang
- 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, Shanghai200240, P. R. China
| | - Minghe Sun
- 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, Shanghai200240, P. R. China
| | - Hao Zhang
- 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, Shanghai200240, P. R. China
| | - Yadong Lu
- 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, Shanghai200240, 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, Shanghai200240, P. R. China
| | - Fenggang Bian
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai201204, 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, Shanghai200240, P. R. China
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6
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Song L, Patil S, Song Y, Chen L, Tian F, Chen L, Li X, Li L, Cheng S. Nanoparticle Clustering and Viscoelastic Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites with Non-Attractive Polymer–Nanoparticle Interactions. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lixian Song
- State Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan 621010, PR China
| | - Shalin Patil
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Yingze Song
- State Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan 621010, PR China
| | - Liang Chen
- National Synchrotron Radiation Lab and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Fucheng Tian
- National Synchrotron Radiation Lab and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Le Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environment-Friendly Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan 621010, PR China
| | - Xueyu Li
- National Synchrotron Radiation Lab and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Liangbin Li
- National Synchrotron Radiation Lab and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Shiwang Cheng
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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7
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Heil C, Patil A, Dhinojwala A, Jayaraman A. Computational Reverse-Engineering Analysis for Scattering Experiments (CREASE) with Machine Learning Enhancement to Determine Structure of Nanoparticle Mixtures and Solutions. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:996-1007. [PMID: 35912348 PMCID: PMC9335921 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c00382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
We present a new open-source, machine learning (ML) enhanced computational method for experimentalists to quickly analyze high-throughput small-angle scattering results from multicomponent nanoparticle mixtures and solutions at varying compositions and concentrations to obtain reconstructed 3D structures of the sample. This new method is an improvement over our original computational reverse-engineering analysis for scattering experiments (CREASE) method (ACS Materials Au2021, 1 (2 (2), ), 140-156), which takes as input the experimental scattering profiles and outputs a 3D visualization and structural characterization (e.g., real space pair-correlation functions, domain sizes, and extent of mixing in binary nanoparticle mixtures) of the nanoparticle mixtures. The new gene-based CREASE method reduces the computational running time by >95% as compared to the original CREASE and performs better in scenarios where the original CREASE method performed poorly. Furthermore, the ML model linking features of nanoparticle solutions (e.g., concentration, nanoparticles' tendency to aggregate) to a computed scattering profile is generic enough to analyze scattering profiles for nanoparticle solutions at conditions (nanoparticle chemistry and size) beyond those that were used for the ML training. Finally, we demonstrate application of this new gene-based CREASE method for analysis of small-angle X-ray scattering results from a nanoparticle solution with unknown nanoparticle aggregation and small-angle neutron scattering results from a binary nanoparticle assembly with unknown mixing/segregation among the nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian
M. Heil
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United
States
| | - Anvay Patil
- School
of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, 170 University Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44325, United
States
| | - Ali Dhinojwala
- School
of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, 170 University Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44325, United
States
| | - Arthi Jayaraman
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United
States
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of Delaware, 201 DuPont
Hall, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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8
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Demir EC, Benkaddour A, Aldrich DR, McDermott MT, Kim CI, Ayranci C. A predictive model towards understanding the effect of reinforcement agglomeration on the stiffness of nanocomposites. JOURNAL OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS 2022; 56:1591-1604. [PMID: 35464628 PMCID: PMC9016679 DOI: 10.1177/00219983221076639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nanocomposite technologies can be significantly enhanced through a careful exploration of the effects of agglomerates on mechanical properties. Existing models are either overly simplified (e.g., neglect agglomeration effects) or often require a significant amount of computational resources. In this study, a novel continuum-based model with a statistical approach was developed. The model is based on a modified three-phase Mori-Tanaka model, which accounts for the filler, agglomerate, and matrix regions. Fillers are randomly dispersed in a defined space to predict agglomeration tendency. The proposed model demonstrates good agreement with the experimentally measured elastic moduli of spin-coated cellulose nanocrystal reinforced polyamide-6 films. The techniques and methodologies presented in the study are sufficiently general in that they can be extended to the analyses of various types of polymeric nanocomposite systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyup Can Demir
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta Faculty of
Engineering, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Abdelhaq Benkaddour
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta Faculty of
Engineering, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Daniel R Aldrich
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta Faculty of
Engineering, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Mark T McDermott
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta Faculty of
Engineering, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Chun Il Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta Faculty of
Engineering, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Cagri Ayranci
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta Faculty of
Engineering, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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9
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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: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [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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10
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Robin C, Robertson CG. Glass-like Signatures in the Dynamic Rheology of Particle-Filled Polymers. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Clément Robin
- Hutchinson Research and Innovation Center, Châlette-sur-Loing 45120, Centre-Val de Loire, France
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11
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Lu S, Jayaraman A. Effect of Nanorod Physical Roughness on the Aggregation and Percolation of Nanorods in Polymer Nanocomposites. ACS Macro Lett 2021; 10:1416-1422. [PMID: 35549008 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Using molecular dynamics simulations, we elucidate the effect of nanorod roughness on nanorod aggregation, dispersion, and percolation in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs). By choosing coarse-grained models that enable systematic variation of the nanorod roughness and by selecting purely repulsive pairwise interactions for nanorods and polymer chains, we show how nanorod roughness affects the entropic driving forces for various PNC morphologies. At this entropically driven limit, we find that increasing nanorod roughness hinders nanorod aggregation and promotes nanorod percolation in the polymer melt. As nanorod roughness increases, the nanorod volume fraction needed to induce nanorod aggregation also increases. Increasing nanorod roughness increases the configurational entropy of the polymer chains and lowers the entropically induced depletion attraction between nanorods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhao Lu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Arthi Jayaraman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, 201 DuPont Hall, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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12
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Heil C, Jayaraman A. Computational Reverse-Engineering Analysis for Scattering Experiments of Assembled Binary Mixture of Nanoparticles. ACS MATERIALS AU 2021; 1:140-156. [PMID: 36855396 PMCID: PMC9888618 DOI: 10.1021/acsmaterialsau.1c00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we describe a computational method for analyzing results from scattering experiments on dilute solutions of supraparticles, where each supraparticle is created by the assembly of nanoparticle mixtures. Taking scattering intensity profiles and nanoparticle mixture composition and size distributions in each supraparticle as input, this computational approach called computational reverse engineering analysis for scattering experiments (CREASE) uses a genetic algorithm to output information about the structure of the assembled nanoparticles (e.g., real space pair correlation function, extent of nanoparticle mixing/segregation, sizes of domains) within a supraparticle. We validate this method by taking as input in silico scattering intensity profiles from coarse-grained molecular simulations of a binary mixture of nanoparticles, forming a close-packed structure and testing if our computational method can correctly reproduce the nanoparticle structure observed in those simulations. We test the strengths and limitations of our method using a variety of in silico scattering intensity profiles obtained from simulations of a spherical or a cubic supraparticle comprising binary nanoparticle mixtures with varying chemistries, with and without dispersity in sizes, that exhibit well-mixed to strongly segregated structures. The strengths of the presented method include its capability to analyze scattering intensity profiles even when the wavevector q range is limited, to handily provide all of the pairwise radial distribution functions, and to correctly determine the extent of segregation/mixing of the nanoparticles assembled in complex geometries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian
M. Heil
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United
States
| | - Arthi Jayaraman
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, Newark, Delaware 19716, United
States,Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, University
of Delaware, 201 DuPont Hall, Newark, Delaware 19716, United
States,
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13
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Bahadur J, Das A, Kumar S, Prakash J, Sen D, Aswal VK. Polymer-mediated interaction between nanoparticles during hydration and dehydration: a small-angle X-ray scattering study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:14818-14829. [PMID: 34212952 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp00528f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Polymer-mediated interactions such as DNA-protein binding, protein aggregation, and filler reinforcement in polymers play crucial roles in many important biological and industrial processes. In this work, we report a detailed investigation of interactions between nanoparticles in the presence of high volume fractions of an adsorbing polymer. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) revealed the existence of a stable gel-like structure in the polymer-nanoparticle dispersion, whereby anchored polymer molecules on nanoparticles acted as bridging centres, while basic interactions between nanoparticles remained repulsive. Time-resolved SAXS measurements showed that the local volume fraction of nanoparticles increased during the drying of the dispersion owing to the shrinkage of the gel-like structure. Further, nanoparticle clusters in the dehydrated composite films showed percolated networks of nanoparticles, except for 5% loading that showed a phase-separated morphology as the volume fraction of nanoparticles remained lower than the percolation threshold. A significant restructuring of nanoparticle clusters occurred upon the hydration of nanocomposite films caused by the expansion of polymer networks induced by hydration forces. Temporal evolution of the volume fraction of nanoparticles during dehydration unveiled three distinct stages similar to the logistic growth function and this was attributed to the evaporation of free, intermediate, and bound water in the different stages. A plausible mechanism was elucidated based on the spring action analogy between anchored polymer chains and nanoparticles during hydration and dehydration processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitendra Bahadur
- Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India. and Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Avik Das
- Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India. and Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Sugam Kumar
- Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India.
| | - Jyoti Prakash
- Glass and Advanced Ceramic Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - Debasis Sen
- Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India. and Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - V K Aswal
- Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India. and Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
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14
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Cui W, You W, Yu W. Mechanism of Mechanical Reinforcement for Weakly Attractive Nanocomposites in Glassy and Rubbery States. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c02156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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
| | - 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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Musino D, Oberdisse J, Farago B, Alegria A, Genix AC. Resolving Segmental Polymer Dynamics in Nanocomposites by Incoherent Neutron Spin-Echo Spectroscopy. ACS Macro Lett 2020; 9:910-916. [PMID: 35648525 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The segmental dynamics of styrene-butadiene nanocomposites with embedded silica nanoparticles (NPs, ca. 20 vol. %) has been studied by broadband dielectric (BDS) and neutron spin-echo spectroscopy (NSE). It is shown by BDS that overlapping contributions only allow us to conclude on a range of distributions of relaxation times in simplified industrial nanocomposites formed with highly polydisperse NPs. For comparison, structurally similar but less aggregated colloidal nanocomposites have a well-defined distribution of relaxation times due to the reduced influence of interfacial polarization processes. This distribution is widened with respect to the neat polymer, without change in the position of the maximum and at most a small slowing down visible in the average time. We then demonstrate that incoherent NSE can be used to resolve small modifications of segmental dynamics of the industrial samples. By carefully choosing the q-vector of the measurement, experiments with fully hydrogenated polymer give access to the self-dynamics of the polymer in the presence of silica on the scale of approximately 1 nm. Our high-resolution measurements show that the segmental motion is slightly but systematically slowed also by the presence of the industrial filler NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafne Musino
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, F-34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Julian Oberdisse
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, F-34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Bela Farago
- Institut Max von Laue-Paul Langevin (ILL), 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, F-38042 Cedex 9 Grenoble, France
| | - Angel Alegria
- Departamento de Fisica de Materiales (UPV/EHU), Materials Physics Center (CSIC-UPV/EHU), Paseo Manuel Lardizábal 5, San Sebastian 20018, Spain
| | - Anne-Caroline Genix
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Université de Montpellier, CNRS, F-34095 Montpellier, France
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