TY - JOUR
T1 - Multiscale structure, interfacial cohesion, adsorbed layers, and thermodynamics in dense polymer-nanoparticle mixtures
AU - Kim, So Youn
AU - Schweizer, Kenneth S.
AU - Zukoski, Charles F.
PY - 2011/11/22
Y1 - 2011/11/22
N2 - We establish the existence and size of adsorbed polymer layers in miscible dense nanocomposites and their consequences on microstructure and the bulk modulus. Using contrast-matching small-angle neutron scattering to characterize all partial collective structure factors of polymers, particles, and their interface, we demonstrate qualitative failure of the random phase approximation, accuracy of the polymer reference site interaction model theory, ability to deduce the adsorbed polymer layer thickness, and high sensitivity of the nanocomposite bulk modulus to interfacial cohesion.
AB - We establish the existence and size of adsorbed polymer layers in miscible dense nanocomposites and their consequences on microstructure and the bulk modulus. Using contrast-matching small-angle neutron scattering to characterize all partial collective structure factors of polymers, particles, and their interface, we demonstrate qualitative failure of the random phase approximation, accuracy of the polymer reference site interaction model theory, ability to deduce the adsorbed polymer layer thickness, and high sensitivity of the nanocomposite bulk modulus to interfacial cohesion.
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U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.225504
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.225504
M3 - Article
C2 - 22182034
AN - SCOPUS:81855161500
SN - 0031-9007
VL - 107
JO - Physical Review Letters
JF - Physical Review Letters
IS - 22
M1 - 225504
ER -