Generation of Anisotropic Conductivity in Polymer Films Using Localized Microvoids Formed by Solvent Crazing as Nanoreactors

Abstract

An approach to generate localized, isolated percolating networks of Ag nanoparticles in the micropores of solvent-crazed PET films is presented. The films show a resistance of 6.32 Ω in the direction of the crazes and >20 MΩ perpendicular to it.

Current-dependent anisotropic conductivity of locally assembled silver nanoparticles in hybrid polymer films

“…Further experimental details and a drawing of the dialyser can be found in Ref. [14]. For conductivity measurements rectangular samples of 9 mm  4 mm 0.15 mm were cut out of the finished membrane in such a way that the silver-containing crazes connect the copper wires glued to the short edges by conductive glue (Fig.…”

“…To achieve a macroscopic electric conductance with this combination, the particles must agglomerate to form extended, interconnected networks inside the pores. In a previous paper, we described a novel approach for the preparation of anisotropically conductive hybrid polymer films using solvent crazing followed by counter-current diffusion [14]. Solvent crazing is a universal phenomenon that is observed in all the semi-crystalline polymer materials [15].…”

“…If tensile drawing is stopped at low strains before the microvoids collapse, they can be used as nanoreactors, e.g. to grow silver nanoparticles as agglomerated networks [14]. The networks appear macroscopically as more or less parallel metallic veins running through the film.…”

Atomistic Insights into the Tunable Transition from Cavitation to Crazing in Diamond Nanothread-Reinforced Polymer Composites

“…Understanding the mechanisms behind these phenomena is of great significance in material sciences [9][10][11][12][13][14]. It can help applications in drug delivery using collapse cavitation [9], color printing using organized microfibrillation without ink [10], anisotropic conductivity using solvent crazing [11], and separator shutdown in lithium-ion batteries through thermal shrinkage of oriented fibrils [12]. However, harnessing of cavity and microfibril formation still remained as a challenging task due to the complicated interaction and competition between cavitation and crazing in the pure polymer systems.…”

Polyethylene–Silica Nanocomposites with the Structure of Semi‐Interpenetrating Networks

“…At the same time, a component dissolved in the AAM is incorporated into the fibrillar‐porous structure of crazes being formed . Other approach to the preparation of nanocomposites is the synthesis of a second component in a nanoporous polymeric matrix preliminarily formed by the crazing mechanism . In contrast to other methods used for the preparation of multicomponent materials, the proposed approach based on the phenomenon of crazing does not require the thermodynamic compatibility of the components and makes it possible to regulate the dispersity of a filler and the character of its distribution in a polymeric matrix within a wide range from the molecular and nanosized level of the dispersity of individual particles to the formation of continuous interpenetrating phases and layered structures.…”