Synthesis of polymer/inorganic nanocomposite films using highly porous inorganic scaffolds

Abstract

Polymeric/inorganic nanocomposite films have been fabricated through a combination of flame-spray-pyrolysis (FSP) made inorganic scaffold and surface initiated polymerization of cyanoacrylate. The highly porous structure of pristine SnO(2) films allows the uptake of cyanoacrylate and the polymerization is surface initiated by the water adsorbed onto the SnO(2) surface. Scanning electron microscopy study reveals a nonlinear increase in the composite particle size and the film thickness with polymerization time. The structural change is rather homogeneous throughout the whole layer. The composite is formed mainly by an increase of the particle size and not by just filling the existing pores. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging shows SnO(2) nanoparticles embedded in the polymeric matrix, constituting the nanocomposite material. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that the porosity of the nanocomposite films decreases from 98% to 75%, resulting in a significant enhancement of the hardness of the films. DC conductivity measurements conducted in situ on the nanocomposite layer suggest a gradual increase in the layer resistance, pointing to a loss of connectivity between the SnO(2) primary particles as the polymerization proceeds.

The effects of material formulation and manufacturing process on mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy/clay nanocomposites

“…5 and 6. Despite the positive effect of centrifugal technique on bubble reduction [50], it may also break down large bubbles into microsized bubbles [58] as confirmed in Fig. 6 in this study.…”

“…Exceptionally, epoxy/Cloisite Na + nanocomposites undergo initial hardness retention when the clay content increases with comparable hardness values to that of neat epoxy. The decreasing trend of hardness for epoxy/clay nanocomposites may be ascribed to poor clay wettability leading to agglomerated structures rather than high levels of exfoliated/intercalated counterparts, as well as the coexistence of microvoids and pores [58].…”

Ceramic Mask‐Assisted Flame Spray Pyrolysis for Direct and Accurate Patterning of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

“…The actual shape of the deposits is rather like a deformed hemisphere which is compressed along the direction perpendicular to the glass substrate (see Supporting Information Figure S2 ( Figure 3B). [27] The crystal phase of the SnO 2 particle deposited on the substrate surface can be expected to be of the same phase as the initial particles. [27] The crystal phase of the SnO 2 particle deposited on the substrate surface can be expected to be of the same phase as the initial particles.…”

Heterostructured Polymer‐Infiltrated Nanoparticle Films with Cavities via Capillary Rise Infiltration

“…Infiltration of polymers into the interstices of the NP films can be achieved using several methods including immersion of the NP films in polymer melts or solutions, [ 6,7 ] exposure of the NP films to monomers that are subsequently polymerized in situ, [ 8,9,15 ] and filling the NP films with resins that are cross‐linked afterward. [ 16 ] More recently, methods to directly infiltrate polymers into NP films via capillary rise infiltration (CaRI) [ 1–3 ] and solvent‐driven infiltration of polymer (SIP) [ 4 ] have been developed.…”