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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Understanding The Influence Of Non-Covalent Interactions And Nanoparticle Geometries In Carbon Based Polymer Nanocomposites, Bradley Carroll Miller
Understanding The Influence Of Non-Covalent Interactions And Nanoparticle Geometries In Carbon Based Polymer Nanocomposites, Bradley Carroll Miller
Doctoral Dissertations
Low-loading polymer nanocomposites (PNC) are an area of great interest in polymer science. As nanoparticles (NP) are typically expensive in comparison to matrix materials; the low loading regime makes the most efficient use of materials, and represents the optimum for realizing cost effective, high-performance PNCs. However, formulating effective low-loading composites is not without challenges. In addition to the typical requirement of good dispersion for efficient translation of NP properties to the bulk, low-loading composites can sometimes exhibit anomalous (non-classical) dynamics, and unpredictable properties. It is within this context that this thesis aims to examine the effects of NP geometry and …
Polymeric Loop Formation At Hard And Soft Interfaces, Earl Ashcraft
Polymeric Loop Formation At Hard And Soft Interfaces, Earl Ashcraft
Doctoral Dissertations
Copolymers are used to increase the interfacial strength of immiscible components and suppress recombination of the minor phase by steric hindrance. The experiments conducted in these studies are designed to investigate in situ polymer loop formation at soft interfaces and functionalized nanotube surfaces. Block copolymers are the most effective type of copolymer for compatibilization because they extend perpendicular to the interface, allowing good entanglement with the homopolymer chains. Multiblock copolymers are more effective than diblock copolymers for strengthening the interface because they can cross the interface multiple times, forming “loops” in each phase that provide entanglement points for the homopolymer. …