Review article

The Role of the Interface in Multiphase Polymer Systems Filled with Nanoparticles

Vera Kovačević ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Zagreb
Domagoj VRSALJKO orcid.org/0000-0003-1383-5376 ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Zagreb
Mirela LESKOVAC ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Zagreb
Sanja LUČIĆ BLAGOJEVIĆ orcid.org/0000-0002-4414-2727 ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Zagreb
Zrinka BUHIN ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Zagreb

Abstract

Improvements in adhesive properties at the interface in nanocomposites, with respect to the standard microcomposites, are a consequence of the great specific surface area of nanofillers and established interactions at nanolevel. An overview of investigations related to the interface and material properties in the conditions of the changed parameters of adhesion by the controlled pre-treatment of the filler surface is given in this paper. The pre-treatment of nanofiller calcium carbonate (CaCO3) by silane, stearic acid, irradiation grafting of poly(vinyl-acetate) and/or its combination changed the adhesion parameters at the interface in the investigated composites and polymer blends based on polyurethane (PUR) and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAC). The surface energy of the components in the composite and polymer blends is measured by a contact angle technique. The morphology of composites is investigated by the optical polarization microscopy and the failure mechanism by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties of composites are determined by a tensile test and thermal properties by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. Structural changes of the matrix under the influence of nanofillers are analyzed by the small angle X–ray scattering (SAXS) technique. Improved results in mechanical properties are related with the homogeneous morphology and the preferential location of nanofillers at the interface. Conditions of the optimal adhesion when the interfacial energy between nanofillers and a particular matrix is minimal and tends to zero can be achieved by a controlled filler surface pre-treatment. They result in significantly improved properties in comparison to the systems with the conditions at the interface that cannot match the optimal ones.

Keywords

adhesion; calcium carbonate; interface; nanocomposites; nanoparticles; polymer blends

Hrčak ID:

29106

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/29106

Publication date:

18.11.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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