Work

Thermodynamic Analysis of a Polymerization-Induced Phase Separation in Nanoparticle−Monomer−Polymer Blends

Year: 2007

Type: article

Abstract: We perform a thermodynamic analysis of the polymerization-induced phase separation in nanoparticle−monomer−polymer blends using a simple model recently proposed by Ginzburg ( Macromolecules 2005, 38, 2362). The model was adapted for ternary blends constituted by nanoparticles, a monomer and a linear polymer, where the relative fractions of polymer and monomer determine the conversion in the polymerization reaction. The analysis showed that phase separation can occur in the course of polymerization for a large range of values of the relevant parameters (interaction parameter and polymer and particle sizes). This possibility has to be considered when the intention is to fix a uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in a monomer through its polymerization.

Source: Macromolecules

DOI: 10.1021/ma071369c

Authors: Ezequiel R. Soulé,, Julio Borrajo, Roberto J. J. Williams

Institutions: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, National University of Mar del Plata, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales

Language: English

Topic: Polymer crystallization and properties

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica

Award: G7378882120