Local Dielectric Property Detection of the Interface between Nanoparticle and Polymer in Nanocomposite Dielectrics

Abstract

The interface between nanoparticles and polymer matrix is considered to have an important effect on the properties of nanocomposites. In this experimental study, electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) is used to study the local dielectric property of the interface of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/TiO2 nanocomposites at nanometer scale. The results show that the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles leads to a decrease in local permittivity. We then carry out the finite element simulation and confirm that the decrease of local permittivity is related to the effect of interface. According to the results, we propose several models and validate the dielectric effect and range effect of interface. Through the analysis of DSC and solid-state NMR results, we find TiO2 nanoparticles can suppress the mobility of local chain segments in the interface, which influences the dipolar polarization of chain segments in the interface and eventually results in a decrease in local permittivity. It is believed the results would provide important hint to the research of the interface in future research.

The properties of fibreboard based on nanolignocelluloses/CaCO3/PMMA composite synthesized through mechano-chemical method

“…These composites generally exhibit superior stiffness, strength, and heat distortion temperatures with respect to unreinforced polymers 20 . Nanoparticles such as nanometric CaCO 3 21 , SiO 2 22 , Fe 3 O 4 23 , TiO 2 24 , and ZnO 25 particles have been used to prepare nanocomposites. Among the various reinforcing materials, CaCO 3 is attractive because of its low cost.…”

Superior Energy Storage Performances of Polymer Nanocomposites via Modification of Filler/Polymer Interfaces

“…d) Calculated electrostatic forces of four different cases. e) Capacitance structures of four cases as “matrix,” “bump,” “exposed bump,” and “broken interface.” c–e) Reproduced with permission . Copyright 2016, Nature.…”

“…The reduced dielectric constant on the polymer side can also be characterized with a direct detection of the local interface dielectric response in polymer nanocomposites. He and co‐workers conducted the nanometer scale investigation of interface between LDPE and TiO 2 with electrostatic force microscopy (EFM). As shown in Figure c, the signals detected from the nanocomposites could be categorized into several cases including: “matrix,” “bump,” and “exposed bump,” which corresponded to different structures and components.…”

“…As a matter of fact, the dielectric constant of nanocomposites does not necessarily improve with application of fillers, as indicated in some epoxy nanocomposites . The dielectric constant on the polymer side at the interfacial region is sometimes supposed to be decreased due to the reduced mobility and the low packing density of polymer chains at the crude polymer/filler interfaces . Nevertheless, it has been demonstrated that the polymer side–contributed enhancement of dielectric constant could also be achieved by proper interfacial control.…”

Thermomorphological analysis of Al2O3/HDPE nanocomposites: One approach in function of the processing and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) content

“…Some research studies feature these differentiated properties are a result to interaction in the molecular scale, in the interface between nanoparticles and polymer matrix .…”