The Fabrication of High-Hardness and Transparent PMMA-Based Composites by an Interface Engineering Strategy

Abstract

The high-hardness and transparent PMMA-based composites play a significant role in modern optical devices. However, a well-known paradox is that conventional PMMA-based composites with high loadings of nanoparticles usually possess high surface hardness at the cost of poor transparency and toughness due to the aggregation of nanoparticles. In this work, ideal optical materials (SiO2/PMMA composites) with high transparency and high surface hardness are successfully fabricated through the introduction of the flow modifier Si-DPF by conventional melt blending. Si-DPF with low surface energy and high transparency, which is located at the SiO2/PMMA interface, and nano-SiO2 particles are homogeneously dispersed in the PMMA matrix. As an example, the sample SiO2/PMMA/Si-DPF (30/65/5) shows outstanding transparency (>87.2% transmittance), high surface hardness (462.2 MPa), and notched impact strength (1.18 kJ/m2). Moreover, SiO2/PMMA/Si-DPF (30/65/5) also presents a low torque value of composite melt (21.7 N⋅m). This work paves a new possibility for the industrial preparation of polymer-based composites with excellent transparency, surface hardness, processability, and toughness.

Physical, Thermal, and Mechanical Characterization of PMMA Foils Fabricated by Solution Casting

“…The influence of various solvents was studied on the morphology of PMMA foils towards the mechanical properties [16]. The study also focused on the effect of solvents on the structural behavior of the relaxation temperature of as-cast PMMA foils [17], as the effect of solvents influences acid-base interaction between the basic sites of PMMA and the acid character of the solvent. The effect of ultrasonic fields on the dilution of PMMA in the solvents has been studied for PMMA films obtained by the drop-casting method.…”

Preparation of a novel SiO2/PMMA nanocomposite with high transparency, thermal stability, and superior surface hardness via gamma‐radiation polymerization

“…Enhancing the dispersion of MSiO 2 particles in the PMMA matrix is crucial for the production of transparent MSiO 2 /PMMA composites 36–38 . It is well‐known that the loading of SiO 2 particles leads to increased SiO 2 agglomeration 39 .…”

“…Enhancing the dispersion of MSiO 2 particles in the PMMA matrix is crucial for the production of transparent MSiO 2 /PMMA composites. [36][37][38] It is well-known that the loading of SiO 2 particles leads to increased SiO 2 agglomeration. 39 To demonstrate the effect of MSiO 2 on the dispersion of highly filled MSiO 2 /PMMA composites, the morphology of MSiO 2 /PMMA composites was observed using SEM and EDS.…”