Kinetics of dispersion of nanoparticles in thin polymer films at high temperature

Begam, Nafisa and Chandran, Sivasurender and Biswas, Nupur and Basu, JK (2015) Kinetics of dispersion of nanoparticles in thin polymer films at high temperature. In: SOFT MATTER, 11 (6). pp. 1165-1173.

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Abstract

We report the first detailed study of the kinetics of dispersion of nanoparticles in thin polymer films using temperature dependent in situ X-ray scattering measurements. We show a comparably enhanced dispersion at higher temperatures for systems which are otherwise phase segregated at room temperature. Detailed analysis of the time dependent X-ray reflectivity and diffuse scattering data allows us to explore the out-of-plane and in-plane mobility of the nanoparticles in the polymer films. While the out-of-plane motion is diffusive with a diffusion coefficient almost two orders of magnitude lower than that expected in bulk polymer, the in-plane one is found to be super-diffusive resulting in significantly larger in-plane displacement at similar time scales. We discuss the origin of the observed highly anisotropic motion of nanoparticles due to their slaved motion with respect to the anisotropic chain orientation and consequent diffusivity anisotropy of matrix chains. We also suggest strategies to utilize these observations to kinetically improve dispersion in otherwise thermodynamically segregated polymer nanocomposite films.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	SOFT MATTER
Publisher:	ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY, THOMAS GRAHAM HOUSE, SCIENCE PARK, MILTON RD, CAMBRIDGE CB4 0WF, CAMBS, ENGLAND
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Physics
Date Deposited:	19 Mar 2015 12:12
Last Modified:	19 Mar 2015 12:12
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/51065

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