Could Nanoparticles Reinforce Polymer Matrices?

Abstract

In this work,we challenge the idea that “introducing nanoparticles in polymer matrices enhance properties” which is assumed spreading almost dogmatically. Two series of compounds were prepared: one based on elastomers (solution-SBR) filled with conventional carbon black particles, CB, the other used the same polymer but filled with carbon nanotubes, CNT. The results of two types of experiments were compared on the two series. The first is physical based on the non linear response of filled materials to static deformation, the second physicochemical, stands on calorimetric measurements of the polymer heat of adsorption on the solid. Static deformation effect on dynamic mechanical modulus shows the behavior of the CB filled elastomers was qualitatively identical to that of glassy polymer reflecting the existence of an immobilized fraction of the polymer at the intephase, while that of CNT was found identical to unfilled polymer indicating a poor filler-polymer interactions. Polymer adsorption measured by flow micro calorimeter showed a substantial amount of heat exchange on the surface of CB while no heat of adsorption was detected on CNT. The lack of interaction between the polymer and the CNT, except for a small domain of a narrow polymer molecular weight, prevent any enhancements of mechanical properties. Other applications may be improved.