Unveiling the impact of percolation phenomenon on the microstructure of polymer nanocomposites based on the combination of scaling and percolation theories

Abstract

In this study, a model was proposed to interpret the tensile strength of the nanocomposite systems based on the percolation and scaling theories. Using the Excluded Volumes method made it possible to characterize the reaction mechanism of the system by discretizing all sections of the system in the best way possible. Accordingly, the system was divided into two sections A and B, consisting of either fully dispersed, aggregated, or agglomerated nanoparticles using a percolation parameter (F). The stress concentration factor was introduced to the model based on the available surface area determining the share of each section in affecting the tensile strength of the system. A validation procedure was performed to verify the obtained results using the experimental results of our recent work for a High‐density polyethylene nanocomposite system containing 0.5, 0.75, and 2 wt% of the surface‐modified silica nanoparticles. The investigations indicate the capability of the proposed model to interpret the physical/mechanical characteristics of the nanocomposite systems. It was found that despite the negative impact of the agglomeration on the tensile strength of the system, the aggregation phenomenon enhanced the tensile strength due to the formation of strong networks in its structure.Highlights Interpreting the tensile strength of nanocomposites via excluded volume theory. Dividing the impacts of dispersed and clustered nanoparticles. Discretizing the effects of aggregation and agglomeration on final properties.