Composite materials loaded with nanometer-sized reinforcing fillers are widely believed to have
the potential to push polymer mechanical properties to extreme values. Realization of anticipated properties,
however, has proven elusive. The analysis presented here traces this shortfall to the large-scale morphology of
the filler as determined by small-angle X-ray scattering, light scattering, and electron imaging. We examine
elastomeric, thermoplastic, and thermoset composites loaded with a variety of nanoscale reinforcing fillers such
as precipitated silica, carbon nanotubes (single and multiwalled), and layered silicates. The conclusion is that
large-scale disorder is ubiquitous in nanocomposites regardless of the level of dispersion, leading to substantial
reduction of mechanical properties (modulus) compared to predictions based on idealized filler morphology.
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