A Theoretical Investigation of Polymer-Nanoparticles as Miscibility Improvers in All-Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract

Abstract. The miscibility behaviour of polymer-nanoparticle / linear-polymer blends (all-polymer nanocomposites) has been investigated using an incompressible mean-field theoretical model that accounts for combinatorial, temperature-dependent exchange interaction energy and nanoparticle-driven effects. The theory is employed to predict the phase diagram of poly(styrene)-nanoparticle (PS-np) / linear-poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) nanocomposites from room temperature to 675 K. Complete miscibility is predicted for PS-nanoparticles with radius < 6 nm blended with PVME (molecular weight 62 500 g/mol, nanoparticle volume fraction 20 %). The effect of PVME molecular weight and blend composition on the miscibility diagram is also addressed.When compared to the well-known experimental phase diagram of linear-PS / PVME blends displaying lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behaviour, the miscibility improving effect of sub-10 nm PS-nanoparticles is clearly highlighted. In terms of the model, this favourable nanoscale effect arises mainly from the reduced stretching induced by the sub-10 nm nanoparticles and the increased exothermic contacts when compared to nanoparticles with sizes > 10 nm.

Advances in single chain technology

“…132 The use of SCNPs as rheology-improving agents for the melts of thermoplastics, 133 elastomeric polymers, 51 nanocomposites 134,135 and paints, 55,86,96,100,101 or as polyelectrolytes with unconventional behaviour, 52a has been proposed. 136,137 SCNPs are also promising materials for promoting miscibility in immiscible polymer blends, as revealed by several theoretical [138][139][140][141][142] and experimental results. 43a,b The effect of SCNPs on the dynamics of all-polymer nanocomposites is currently the subject of intense interest.…”

Homogenization of Mutually Immiscible Polymers Using Nanoscale Effects: A Theoretical Study

“…In a mean field, theoretical framework, Δg mix , the free energy of mixing (per unit volume) for an all-polymer nanocomposite composed of spherical polymer-nanoparticles (component 1) of volume fraction φ 1 , radius R p , nanoparticle volume υ 1 , and linear-polymer chains of degree of polymerization N 2 ( 1) and monomer volume υ 2 is given by [10] Δg mix = Δg co mix + Δg…”

“…Complete miscibility was predicted for PS-nanoparticles with radius < 6 nm blended with poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) at low concentrations. When compared to linear-PS/PVME blends displaying phase splitting at T > 375 K, the miscibility improving effect of sub-10 nm PS-nanoparticles was clearly highlighted [10].…”

“…In a recent work, the athermal model has been extended to calculate the phase diagram of weakly interacting allpolymer nanocomposites by accounting for combinatorial interaction energy and nanoparticle-driven effects [10]. Complete miscibility was predicted for PS-nanoparticles with radius < 6 nm blended with poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) at low concentrations.…”

Pt/TiO2 Coupled with Water-Splitting Catalyst for Organic Pollutant Photodegradation: Insight into the Primary

“…In a mean field, theoretical framework, Δg mix , the free energy of mixing (per unit volume) for an all-polymer nanocomposite composed of spherical polymer-nanoparticles (component 1) of volume fraction φ 1 , radius R p , nanoparticle volume υ 1 , and linear-polymer chains of degree of polymerization N 2 ( 1) and monomer volume υ 2 is given by [10] Δg mix = Δg…”