Influence of the filler distribution on PDMS-graphene based nanocomposites selected properties

Abstract

Insufficient homogeneity is one of the pressing problems in nanocomposites’ production as it largely impairs the properties of materials with relatively high filler concentration. Within this work, it is demonstrated how selected mixing techniques (magnetic mixer stirring, calendaring and microfluidization) affect filler distribution in poly(dimethylsiloxane)-graphene based nanocomposites and, consequently, their properties. The differences were assessed via imaging and thermal techniques, i.a. Raman spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. As microfluidization proved to provide the best homogenization, it was used to prepare nanocomposites of different filler concentration, whose structural and thermal properties were investigated. The results show that the concentration of graphene significantly affects polymer chain mobility, grain sizes, defect density and cross-linking level. Both factors considered in this work considerably influence thermal stability and other features which are crucial for application in electronics, EMI shielding, thermal interface materials etc.

Silver nanoparticles incorporated polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposite film as hydrophobic infrared filters

“…The residue looks like a small black glassy crystal. Furthermore, the utilization of nanoparticles enables the absorption of thermal energy, effectively retarding the rate of decomposition 61 . This phenomenon occurs due to the diversion of heat, typically designated for the degradation of the PDMS matrix, toward the elevation of temperature in the nanoparticles 62 …”

Interaction of silica with polystyrene: mechanical properties, polymer/filler adhesion and failure behavior

“…The specific properties of the used polymer are: density 1.04 g/cm 3 , Poisson's ratio 0.333, water absorption 0.05%, softening temperature 108 °C and molecular weight of 218000. Silica was obtained from Saudi Geological Survey, Jeddah, and its properties are: density 1.64 g/cm 3 , average particle diameter 167 μm, specific gravity 4.1, pH in the range of 6-8. 3-aminopropyl trimethoxy silane (APTMS) was obtained from Fischer scientific USA.…”

“…In many cases, the changes in the mechanical properties of the filled polymer can be predicted from basic principles [2]. In other cases, the property changes must be experimentally measured, because there is not sufficient knowledge about the polymer-filler interactions to calculate the effect of filler concentration on property changes [3].…”