We have performed small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements to study the evolution of length-scale-dependent nanoparticle (NP) correlations over a wide range of loadings in miscible silica–poly­(2-vinylpyridine) polymer nanocomposites (PNC) characterized by strong interfacial attraction. The local cage and intermediate-scale correlations evolve in a commonly observed manner with increasing silica concentration, while long-wavelength concentration fluctuations exhibit a complex behavior. Higher-loading PNCs show a nonmonotonic change in the structure factor amplitude with wavevector because of an upturn on the longest length scales, which is the most intense for the highest NP concentration sample. These observations suggest that the PNC is approaching a spinodal demixing transition of an unusual polymer bridging-induced network type. PRISM integral equation theory is quantitatively applied, captures the key features of the SAXS data, and provides a theoretical basis for a network-like phase separation analogous to polyelectrolyte coacervation. The theory with validated parameters is then used to make predictions of real-space pair correlation functions between all species, the small- and large-wavevector collective polymer structure factor, spatially resolved NP coordination numbers, the interfacial cohesive energy density, and a measure of an enlarged effective NP radius because of polymer adsorption. With increasing NP loading, intensification of tight secondary bridged NP configurations, but weakening of interpolymer and polymer–NP correlations due to packing frustration, is predicted. This local reorganization of the polymer structure coexists with macro- and microphase separation such as features at low wavevectors which vary distinctively with NP loading. The predictions for the collective polymer structure are potentially testable using scattering experiments. Our results provide an important starting point for building an understanding of collective NP dynamics.

The addition of nanoparticles (NPs) to polymers is a powerful method to improve the mechanical and other properties of macromolecular materials. Such hybrid polymer–particle systems are also rich in fundamental soft matter physics. Among several factors contributing to mechanical reinforcement, a polymer-mediated NP network is considered to be the most important in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs). Here, we present an integrated experimental–theoretical study of the collective NP dynamics in model PNCs using X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy and microscopic statistical mechanics theory. Silica NPs dispersed in unentangled or entangled poly­(2-vinylpyridine) matrices over a range of NP loadings are used. Static collective structure factors of the NP subsystems at temperatures above the bulk glass transition temperature reveal the formation of a network-like microstructure via polymer-mediated bridges at high NP loadings above the percolation threshold. The NP collective relaxation times are up to 3 orders of magnitude longer than the self-diffusion limit of isolated NPs and display a rich dependence with observation wavevector and NP loading. A mode-coupling theory dynamical analysis that incorporates the static polymer-mediated bridging structure and collective motions of NPs is performed. It captures well both the observed scattering wavevector and NP loading dependences of the collective NP dynamics in the unentangled polymer matrix, with modest quantitative deviations emerging for the entangled PNC samples. Additionally, we identify an unusual and weak temperature dependence of collective NP dynamics, in qualitative contrast with the mechanical response. Hence, the present study has revealed key aspects of the collective motions of NPs connected by polymer bridges in contact with a viscous adsorbing polymer medium and identifies some outstanding remaining challenges for the theoretical understanding of these complex soft materials.

The evolution of nanoscale properties is measured during the thermally triggered curing of an industrial epoxy adhesive. We use x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) to track the progression of the curing reaction through the local dynamics of filler particles that reflect the formation of a thermoset network. Out-of-equilibrium dynamics are resolved through identification and analysis of the intensity–intensity autocorrelation functions obtained from XPCS. The characteristic time scale and local velocity of the filler is calculated as functions of time and temperature. We find that the dynamics speed up when approaching the curing temperature (Tcure), and decay rapidly once Tcure is reached. We compare the results from XPCS to conventional macroscale characterization by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The demonstration and implementation of nanoscale characterization of curing reactions by XPCS proves useful for future development and optimization of epoxy thermoset materials and other industrial adhesive systems.

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a promising technique to rapidly produce polymeric materials into complex 3-dimensional (3D) geometries. While AM is widespread and relevant for a range of applications, implementation in industry has outpaced our fundamental understanding of polymer dynamics and structure development during the printing process. Characterization and quantification of such dynamics is necessary to optimize final material properties and design future materials and processes for 3D printing. Here, we utilize X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) to measure spatial and time-resolved, out-of-equilibrium dynamics during direct ink write (DIW) 3D printing. Specifically, we investigate the progression of structural dynamics in a dual cure (UV/thermal) nanocomposite during and directly after printing. As the filament is printed and cured in situ, the relaxation processes of the cross-linking network are measured through the dynamics of inorganic filler particles. The characteristic relaxation time of the dynamics is calculated through the intensity–intensity autocorrelation function g 2 and directly correlated to the printing process parameters, such as printhead velocity and UV light intensity. The time-resolved evolution of nanoscale dynamics follows a power-law dependence as the filament is cured. Bulk rheological characterizations reveal the macroscopic solidification of the resin, providing correlation of material properties across a wide range of length and time scales. The measurement of multiscale, out-of-equilibrium dynamics provides insight into the development of structure in polymer nanocomposite filaments during 3D printing and is used to further understand the influence of such parameters on the AM process.

We report that the nanometer-scale architecture of polymer chains plays a crucial role in its protein resistant property over surface chemistry. Protein-repellent (noncharged), few nanometer thick polymer layers were designed with homopolymer chains physisorbed on solids. We evaluated the antifouling property of the hydrophilic or hydrophobic adsorbed homopolymer chains against bovine serum albumin in water. Molecular dynamics simulations along with sum frequency generation spectroscopy data revealed the selforganized nanoarchitecture of the adsorbed chains composed of inner nematiclike ordered segments and outer brush-like segments across homopolymer systems with different interactions among a polymer, substrate, and interfacial water. We propose that this structure acts as a dual barrier against protein adsorption.

The addition of nanofillers to rubber matrices is a powerful route to improve the mechanical properties. Here, we focus on a molecular understanding of basic mechanisms that are important for the reinforcement in rubbers. The key role in this process is ascribed to bound rubber (BR) that engages with the matrix as well as with adjacent nanofillers. To date, this understanding has been impeded by the lack of experimental tools to directly probe the BR chains buried in a polymer matrix composed of the same polymer. To tackle this challenge, we combine neutron scattering/spectroscopy techniques with isotope-labeling and molecular dynamics simulations. The system is a simplified carbon-black-filled polybutadiene. The combined experimental and computational results provide new insights into the local structural and dynamical heterogeneities of BR chains and their interactions with the matrix polymer, highlighting (i) the structural partition of the bound chains into three components (i.e., trains, loops, and tails) and their fractions; (ii) their dynamical hierarchies, i.e., the trains that remain immobile on the filler surface, the loops that are fairly large and hence allow the interdigitation of matrix chains, and the tails with their unique characteristics to reach far out into the matrix and entangle with matrix chains. These multiple roles of the constituent components of the BR chains promote the formation of a well-developed adhesive polymer−filler interface, enhancing the elastic property of a filled rubber. The comprehensive understanding derived and validated by the model rubber will be translatable to many other polymer nanocomposites.

We here report that adsorbed chains composed of one of the constituent blocks can be used as a new surface modification approach to induce perpendicularly oriented lamellar microdomains in block copolymer thin films. A nearly symmetric polystyrene-block-poly­(methyl methacrylate) (PS-block-PMMA) diblock copolymer was used as a model. Densely packed PS- or PMMA-adsorbed chains of about 2–3 nm in thickness (“polymer nanocoatings”) were deposited on silicon (Si) substrates using a solvent-rinsing approach. Spin-cast films of 40 or 60 nm-thick PS-block-PMMA (equivalent to two or three interdomain spacings) were subsequently deposited onto the PS or PMMA nanocoatings. Grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering experiments revealed the formation of perpendicularly oriented lamellar microdomains within the entire films at 200 °C, where balanced interfacial interactions at the polymer–air interface were achieved. Additionally, X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy studies demonstrated the dynamics of the fully standing lamellar microdomains in the melt, which are coupled to cooperative interdomain movement. We demonstrate that the “neutrality” of the nanocoating is attributed to its noninteractive property against both blocks. This “structurally neutral” property prevents adsorption of the PS-block-PMMA chains on the bare Si substrate that causes the undesirable substrate field effect.

Fouling is the undesirable accumulation of a material on a wide variety of objects and has now become a widespread global problem from land to ocean with both economic and environmental penalties. Here, we report protein-repellent properties of ultrathin polymer films that are considered to be of structural origin and generalizable across homopolymer systems. Ultrathin polymer films composed of polystyrene, poly­(2-vinyl pyridine), poly­(methyl methacrylate), and polybutadiene with different thicknesses (h) ranging from 2 to 60 nm were prepared on silicon substrates. Bovine serum albumin and fibrinogen (both are fluorescein-labeled) were used as model proteins. The polymer thin films were incubated in the protein solution, removed, and then rinsed with water. The fluorescence intensity I(h) measured by a photon-counting spectrofluorometer generated a master curve over the film thickness regardless of the polymer and protein choice, revealing the two different protein adsorption regimes with the following thicknesses: (i) below the critical thickness (h c ≅ 20 nm), I(h) is minimal (nearly zero at h < 5 nm) and exhibits a very weak thickness dependence; (ii) at h > h c, I(h) exhibits very strong thickness dependence (I(h) ∼ h 2). Molecular dynamics simulations identified a positive correlation between protein adsorption and highly packed conformations of polymer chains, which either adsorb on the substrate or do not adsorb but are in contact with the adsorbed polymer chains, resulting in a protein-repellent “dense layer” at h < h c. In addition, the effect of the dense layer propagates into the film interior up to at least 60 nm, resulting in an “interphase” that shows the quadratic adsorption behavior. These experimental and computational findings detail a new mechanism behind the structure-driven protein-repellent properties of polymer structures under nanoconfinement over surface chemistry.