A novel strategy to predict the tensile strength of polymer/particle interphase based on De Gennes's self‐similar carpet theory

Abstract

The formation of polymer/particle interphase region besides affecting most of the mechanical characteristics of polymer nanocomposites also alters some of their physical properties. The physical/mechanical properties inside the interphase may change based on a specific pattern (e.g., linear, exponential, etc.). De Gennes's self‐similar carpet theory represents a unique definition for the concentration variation of the adsorbed polymer chains. Accordingly, this specific pattern was developed to predict the tensile strength of the polymer/particle interphase region based on the molecular characteristics of the matrix and polymer/particle compatibility. In addition, Pukanszky's model was developed to define the characteristics of the aggregates/agglomerates using the results of De Gennes's theory. Different high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposite samples, containing compatibilized silica nanoparticles, were prepared and subjected to the tensile and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) tests. Moreover, other data from the literature were used to further investigate the accuracy of the proposed model. It was revealed that considering the gyration radius of the polymer chains as the maximum interphase thickness and the scaling parameter as 0.49 provides accurate predictions. On the other hand, the obtained data regarding the average content and size of nanoparticle aggregates/agglomerates also were in good agreement with the actual results.