Six types of matrices of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers were prepared from different epoxies, amines, and thermoplastics at different curing conditions. Dynamic mechanical analysis measurements were performed to investigate the dynamic mechanical properties of storage modulus E′, loss modulus E″, damping factor tan δ, and complex viscosity |η*|. Positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) spectroscopy was carried out to evaluate each size and fraction of free-volume holes in the sample. The correlations between the dynamic mechanical properties and relative free-volume fraction were studied by using the Williams–Landel–Ferry equation. With increasing relative free-volume fraction, regular changes of dynamic mechanical properties are revealed: log­[E′(T)] and log­[|η*|(T)] decrease linearly in the temperature range of T g(PAL) < T < T rub(E′) (T g(PAL) is the glass transition temperature determined by PAL measurements; T rub(E′) is the lowest temperature where E′(T) curve coincides with its fitting line in the rubbery status stage) and then remain nearly unchanged at T > T rub(E′); log­[E″(T)] and log­[tan δ­(T)] increase linearly at T g(PAL) < T < T g(tan δmax) (T g(tan δmax) is the temperature of maximum tan δ) and then decrease linearly at T > T g(tan δmax). In the present work, PAL spectroscopy is demonstrated to be a reliable experimental technique to provide precious quantitative information on free-volume holes in polymers.

X-ray microtomography and serial block face scanning electron microscopy are used to reveal independent clusters of inorganic particles embedded within a polymer. These clusters are interpenetrating, of varying size, and have fractal dimensions that strongly influence transport and structure-property relations. This interpretation forms a baseline for designing hybrid materials for applications in self-healing, drug delivery, and membranes.

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