Kinetics of high density functional polymer nanocomposite formation by tuning enthalpic and entropic barriers

Swain, Aparna ; Das A, Nimmi ; Chandran, Sivasurender ; Basu, J. K. (2022) Kinetics of high density functional polymer nanocomposite formation by tuning enthalpic and entropic barriers Soft Matter, 18 (5). pp. 1005-1012. ISSN 1744-683X

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Official URL: http://doi.org/10.1039/D1SM01681D

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D1SM01681D

Abstract

High density functional polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) with high degree of dispersion have recently emerged as novel materials for various thermo-mechanical, optical and electrical applications. The key challenge is to attain a high loading while maintaining reasonable dispersion to attain maximum possible benefits from the functional nanoparticle additives. Here, we report a facile method to prepare polymer grafted nanoparticle (PGNP)-based high density functional polymer nanocomposites using thermal activation of a high density PGNP monolayer to overcome entropic or enthalpic barriers to insertion of PGNPs into the underlying polymer films. We monitor the temperature-dependent kinetics of penetration of a high density PGNP layer and correlate the penetration time to the effective enthalpic/entropic barriers. The experimental results are corroborated by coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. Repeated application of the methodology to insert nanoparticles by appropriate control over temperature, time and graft-chain properties can lead to enhanced densities of loading in the PNC. Our method can be engineered to produce a wide range of high density polymer nanocomposite membranes for various possible applications including gas separation and water desalination.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to Royal Society of Chemistry.
ID Code:133221
Deposited On:27 Dec 2022 07:08
Last Modified:27 Dec 2022 07:08

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