Interphase in Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract

The lightweight and high-strength functional nanocomposites are important in many practical applications. Natural biomaterials with excellent mechanical properties provide inspiration for improving the performance of composite materials. Previous studies have usually focused on the bionic design of the material’s microstructure, sometimes overlooking the importance of the interphase in the nanocomposite system. In this Perspective, we will focus on the construction and control of the interphase in confined space and the connection between the interphase and the macroscopic properties of the materials. We shall survey the current understanding of the critical size of the interphase and discuss the general rules of interphase formation. We hope to raise awareness of the interphase concept and encourage more experimental and simulation studies on this subject, with the aim of an optimal design and controllable preparation of polymer nanocomposite materials.

Large-Area Ultrastrong and Stiff Layered MXene Nanocomposites by Shear-Flow-Induced Alignment of Nanosheets

“…From the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) curves of various samples, we discover that the glass transition temperature ( T g ) of the corresponding film shifts to higher values (from 74 to 135 °C) with increased weight percentages of MXene nanosheets, while, when the content of nanosheets is above 33.2 wt %, the value of T g is ill-defined. It shows that the relaxation ability of polymer chains is reduced with increased weight percentages of MXene nanosheets, confirming that the mobility of polymer chains adsorbed on nanosheets is greatly limited. , …”

“…This aggregation would lead to the markedly decreased mechanical performance of nanocomposites . In addition to the above-mentioned homogeneous distribution and good alignment of MXene nanosheets, the interface formed between the nanofillers and the polymers also makes a profound contribution to the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. , To further elucidate the underlying mechanism of the superior mechanical properties, we investigate the mobility of polymer chains within nanocomposites with different contents of MXene nanosheets. Figure b displays the thermal motion behavior of polymer chains under different temperatures, ranging from 45 to 200 °C.…”

“…On the basis of the interaction between surface terminations of MXene nanosheets and polymer chains and the above-mentioned experimental results, we suppose that the polymer chains would be absorbed on the surface of the well-aligned MXene nanosheet (Figure c) to form an interphase (dark blue area in Figure e, Figure S8b,c). Within the interfacial adsorption layer, the properties of polymer components are different from those of the bulk polymer . Because of the strong hydrogen-bond interaction between MXene nanosheets and matrix polymers (Figure S13), the mobility of the polymer chains is decreased around the nanofillers (dark blue lines). ,,− At the low weight percentage of MXene nanosheets, the interlayer distance d is larger than the critical interlayer distance d c , and some polymer chains would not be confined by nanosheets, resulting in free polymer chains (light blue lines).…”

Effect of Interphase Properties on Isothermal and Non-isothermal Crystallization Behavior of Poly(lactic acid)/Acetylated Starch Blends

“…The contributions of the interfacial interactions to the crystallization kinetics remain poorly understood. Interfacial interactions may restrict the movement of the polymer chains in the conformational ordering required for nucleation. , Alternatively, interfacial interactions may assist with the adsorption of polymer chains in the growth stage of crystallization . Recently, Klonos et al investigated the effect of polymer filler interfacial interactions on the crystallization behavior of poly­(propylene furanoate) comprising graphene oxide (GO) platelets and carbon nanotubes (CNTs).…”

Multiscale Characterization of the Influence of the Organic–Inorganic Interface on the Dielectric Breakdown of Nanocomposites

“…Interfacial engineering of these materials usually further accentuates such improvements as in nanocomposites the properties of the material cannot simply be viewed as the sum of the properties of its components . This key role of the interface in determining the final properties of the nanomaterial is evidenced by the increased operational stability against dielectric breakdown in nanocomposites. − Understanding the exact relation between the nanoscale interfaces on the overall macroscopic properties of the material still remains a formidable challenge.…”