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Khan P, Kaushik R, Jayaraj A. Approaches and Perspective of Coarse-Grained Modeling and Simulation for Polymer-Nanoparticle Hybrid Systems. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:47567-47586. [PMID: 36591142 PMCID: PMC9798744 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Molecular modeling and simulations have emerged as effective and indispensable tools to characterize polymeric systems. They provide fundamental and essential insights to design a product of the required properties and to improve the understanding of a phenomenon at the molecular level for a particular system. The polymer-nanoparticle hybrids are materials with outstanding properties and correspondingly large applications whose study has benefited from this new paradigm. However, despite the significant expansion of modern day computational powers, investigation of the long time and large length scale phenomenon in polymeric and polymer-nanoparticle systems is still a challenging task to complete through all-atom molecular dynamics (AA-MD) simulations. To circumvent this problem, a variety of coarse-grained (CG) models have been proposed, ranging from the generic CG models for qualitative properties predictions to more realistic chemically specific CG models for quantitative properties predictions. These CG models have already delivered some success stories in the study of several spatial and temporal evolutions of many processes. Some of these studies were beyond the feasibility of traditional atomistic resolution models due to either the size or the time constraints. This review captures the different types of popular CG approaches that are utilized in the investigation of the microscopic behavior of polymer-nanoparticle hybrid systems. The rationale of this article is to furnish an overview of the popular CG approaches and their applications, to review several important and most recent developments, and to delineate the perspectives on future directions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvez Khan
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim
University, Aligarh202002, India
| | - Rahul Kaushik
- Laboratory
for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Yokohama, Kanagawa230-0045, Japan
| | - Abhilash Jayaraj
- Department
of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut06459, United States
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Gharib-Zahedi MR, Koochaki A, Alaghemandi M. Tuning the polymer thermal conductivity through structural modification induced by MoS 2 bilayers. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:6927-6933. [PMID: 36052767 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00660j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The present work refers to a physical and structural study of nanoconfined polymers in polymer-MoS2 nanocomposites as a function of MoS2-MoS2 interlayer distance. We applied reverse nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (RNEMD) simulations to investigate the thermal conductivity (λ) of polyamide oligomers confined by MoS2 bilayers. The results of this study indicate that thermal conductivity of polymer can be considerably enhanced when polymer chains are confined by MoS2 sheets, this behavior is more pronounced by charged surfaces. The presence of MoS2 surfaces leads to elongation as well as preferential alignment of polymer chains parallel to the MoS2 surfaces, which in turn results in higher order and denser packing of polymer content and hence larger thermal conductivity in comparison to the bulk polymer. Additionally, the analysis of the number of hydrogen bonds (HBs) in confined polymer chains suggests that a combined effect of the mentioned structural modification and enlarged values of HBs may cooperatively contribute to high polymer thermal conductivity, facilitating phonon transport. The results reported here suggest a significant way to design confined polymer-MoS2 composites for significantly improving thermal conductivity for a wide variety of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amin Koochaki
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Republic of Ireland
| | - Mohammad Alaghemandi
- Department of Computer Science, Metropolitan College, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Raos
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Via L. Mancinelli 7, I-20131 Milano, Italy
| | - Bruno Zappone
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Istituto di Nanotecnologia (CNR-Nanotec), Via P. Bucci, 33/C, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy
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David A, Tartaglino U, Casalegno M, Raos G. Fracture in Silica/Butadiene Rubber: A Molecular Dynamics View of Design-Property Relationships. ACS POLYMERS AU 2021; 1:175-186. [PMID: 36855656 PMCID: PMC9954208 DOI: 10.1021/acspolymersau.1c00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite intense investigation, the mechanisms governing the mechanical reinforcement of polymers by dispersed nanoparticles have only been partially clarified. This is especially true for the ultimate properties of the nanocomposites, which depend on their resistance to fracture at large deformations. In this work, we adopt molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the mechanical properties of silica/polybutadiene rubber, using a quasi-atomistic model that allows a meaningful description of bond breaking and fracture over relatively large length scales. The behavior of large nanocomposite models is explored systematically by tuning the cross-linking, grafting densities, and nanoparticle concentration. The simulated stress-strain curves are interpreted by monitoring the breaking of chemical bonds and the formation of voids, up to complete rupture of the systems. We find that some chemical bonds, and particularly the S-S linkages at the rubber-nanoparticle interface, start breaking well before the appearance of macroscopic features of fracture and yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio David
- Department
of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Milano 20131, Italy
| | | | - Mosè Casalegno
- Department
of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Milano 20131, Italy
| | - Guido Raos
- Department
of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Milano 20131, Italy,Email for G.R.:
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New Vegetable Oils with Different Fatty Acids on Natural Rubber Composite Properties. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13071108. [PMID: 33807186 PMCID: PMC8036655 DOI: 10.3390/polym13071108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic (PCA) oils, much attention has been paid to the replacement of PCA oils by other nontoxic oils. This paper reports comparative study of the effects of new vegetable oils, i.e., Moringa oil (MO) and Niger oil (NO), on rheological, physical and dynamic properties of silica–filled natural rubber composite (NRC), in comparison with petroleum–based naphthenic oil (NTO). The results reveal that MO and NO exhibit higher thermal stability and better processability than NTO. Cure characteristics of the rubber compounds are not significantly affected by the oil type. It is also found that the NRCs containing MO or NO have better tensile strength and lower dynamic energy loss than the NRCs containing NTO. This may be because both MO and NO improve filler dispersion to a greater extent than NTO as supported by storage modulus and scanning electron microscopy results. Consequently, the present study suggests that MO and NO could be used as the alternative non–toxic oils for NRC without any loss of the properties evaluated.
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David A, Tartaglino U, Raos G. Towards realistic simulations of polymer networks: tuning vulcanisation and mechanical properties. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:3496-3510. [PMID: 33511970 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp05124a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Simulations of coarse-grained network models have long been used to test theoretical predictions about rubber elasticity, while atomistic models are still largely unexplored. Here we devise a novel algorithm for the vulcanisation of united-atom poly(cis-1,4-butadiene), characterize the topology of the resulting networks and test their mechanical properties. We observe clear changes in the network structure when using slower vulcanisation, contrary to the traditional view that cross-linking simply freezes the melt configuration. Non-ideality of our networks reverberates on the distribution of strand length and on the strands deformation, which is highly non-affine, especially for short strands. Nevertheless, we do recover some of the trends observed on ideal bead-and-spring networks and controlled laboratory experiments, such as the linear relationships linking the degree of cross-linking and the density. We also compare different deformation methods and find step-equilibrium protocols to be more reliable. Regardless of the adopted method, it is advisable to precede the deformation by a pre-stretching cycle in order to release internal stresses accumulated during the vulcanisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio David
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering, "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, 20131 Milan, Italy
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Moghimikheirabadi A, Mugemana C, Kröger M, Karatrantos AV. Polymer Conformations, Entanglements and Dynamics in Ionic Nanocomposites: A Molecular Dynamics Study. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2591. [PMID: 33158229 PMCID: PMC7694256 DOI: 10.3390/polym12112591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigate nanoparticle (NP) dispersion, polymer conformations, entanglements and dynamics in ionic nanocomposites. To this end, we study nanocomposite systems with various spherical NP loadings, three different molecular weights, two different Bjerrum lengths, and two types of charge-sequenced polymers by means of molecular dynamics simulations. NP dispersion can be achieved in either oligomeric or entangled polymeric matrices due to the presence of electrostatic interactions. We show that the overall conformations of ionic oligomer chains, as characterized by their radii of gyration, are affected by the presence and the amount of charged NPs, while the dimensions of charged entangled polymers remain unperturbed. Both the dynamical behavior of polymers and NPs, and the lifetime and amount of temporary crosslinks, are found to depend on the ratio between the Bjerrum length and characteristic distance between charged monomers. Polymer-polymer entanglements start to decrease beyond a certain NP loading. The dynamics of ionic NPs and polymers is very different compared with their non-ionic counterparts. Specifically, ionic NP dynamics is getting enhanced in entangled matrices and also accelerates with the increase of NP loading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Moghimikheirabadi
- Polymer Physics, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Leopold-Ruzicka-Weg 4, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Clément Mugemana
- Materials Research and Technology, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, L-4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg;
| | - Martin Kröger
- Polymer Physics, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Leopold-Ruzicka-Weg 4, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Argyrios V. Karatrantos
- Materials Research and Technology, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, L-4362 Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg;
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Wang J, Zhang K, Fei G, Salzano de Luna M, Lavorgna M, Xia H. High Silica Content Graphene/Natural Rubber Composites Prepared by a Wet Compounding and Latex Mixing Process. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2549. [PMID: 33143314 PMCID: PMC7692359 DOI: 10.3390/polym12112549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The reduced graphene oxide (rGO) modified natural rubber composite (NR) filled with high contents of silica was prepared by a wet compounding and latex mixing process using a novel interface modifier cystamine dihydrochloride (CDHC) with coagulation ability. CDHC acts as a coagulation agent through electrostatic interaction with rGO, SiO2, and latex rubber particles during the latex-based preparation process, while in the obtained silica/graphene/natural rubber composites, CDHC acts as an interface modifier. Compared with the composites prepared by the conventional mechanical mixing method, the dispersion of both rGO and SiO2 in the composites made by a wet compounding and latex mixing process is improved. As a result, the obtained silica/graphene/natural rubber composite prepared by this new method has good comprehensive properties. A Dynamic Mechanical Test suggests that the tan δ values of the composites at 60 °C decrease, indicating a low rolling resistance with increasing the graphene content at a low strain, but it increases at a higher strain. This unique feature for this material provides an advantage in the rubber tire application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wang
- State Key Lab of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; (J.W.); (K.Z.); (H.X.)
- College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Kaiye Zhang
- State Key Lab of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; (J.W.); (K.Z.); (H.X.)
| | - Guoxia Fei
- State Key Lab of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; (J.W.); (K.Z.); (H.X.)
| | - Martina Salzano de Luna
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, P.le Fermi, 1-80055 Portici, Naples, Italy;
| | - Marino Lavorgna
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, P.le Fermi, 1-80055 Portici, Naples, Italy;
| | - Hesheng Xia
- State Key Lab of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; (J.W.); (K.Z.); (H.X.)
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