engleski

Influence of nanosilica pre-treatment on properties of poly(vinyl acetate)/silica composites

The properties of nanocomposites depend not only on the properties of their individual constituents but also on their morphology and interface/interphase properties. The interphase plays an important role in the multiphase polymer systems such as nanocomposites since this phase provides a crucial link between the polymer matrix and inorganic filler.1 Inorganic nanoparticles show the strong tendency to agglomerate due to their small size and high surface energy that caused an additional problem in nanocomposite preparation. Appropriate filler surface pre-treatment prevent agglomeration of nanoparticles and provide better compatibility with polymer matrix as well as homogeneous distribution of nanoparticles that results with improved nanocomposite properties.2 In this study the effects of fumed silica (nano-SiO2) filler surface pre-treatment with g- methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPS) and aminopropylsilanetriol (APTO) on the properties of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) composites were investigated. Interfacial interactions, thermal and mechanical properties of PVAc / nano-SiO2 composites were investigated by using of contact angle technique, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and tensile test. The interfacial properties of the composites were determined based on the calculated values of adhesion parameters such are thermodynamic work of adhesion, interfacial free energy and spreading coefficient. The results indicate different mechanisms of bonding of untreated and silane pre-treated nano-SiO2 fillers and PVAc matrix.

nano-SiO2; poly(vinyl acetate); polymer/filler interface

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