Polymer Nanocomposites
Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) are hybrid materials that incorporate polymers and functional nanofillers. They have been very widely used in industrial/daily products, due to their enhanced properties such as electrical, optical, mechanical, thermal properties compared to pristine polymers. Our research group is interested in understanding of interfacial layers based on particle-polymer interactions and controlling the structures to produce desired properties in complex nanoparticle-polymer composites.
The following topics are of current interest to our group.
A. Initial solvent-driven nonequilibrium of PNCs
B. Effects of polymer matrix characteristics on PNCs
C. PNCs with bimodal nanoparticles
A. Initial Solvent-Driven Nonequilibrium of PNCs
Processing conditions of PNC such as casting solvent can greatly impact the characteristics of interfacial polymer layer around nanoparticle surface, making PNCs be in nonequilibrium states. As a result, PNC properties can be significantly changed by initial solvent although it does not exist in the final state, thus, requiring a careful consideration of PNC preparation protocols. We aim to investigate such initial solvent-driven nonequilibrium of various PNC systems with variations in particle/polymer size or surface properties of particle.
B. Effects of Polymer Matrix Characteristics on PNCs
In the PNC process, polymers can be physically adsorbed onto the nanoparticle surface, forming a interfacial layer, which affects the structures and properties of PNCs. Hence, basic characteristics of initial polymer matrix such as molecular weight, chain conformation, and rigidity can affect the interfacial layer. We focus on controlling the microstructure and physical properties of PNCs by changing basic characteristics of the polymer matrix and by analyzing the dynamics of interfacial layer in various ways.
C. Polymer Nanocomposite with Bimodal Nanoparticles
Polymer nanocomposites with bimodal nanoparticles have enhanced packing of nanoparticles which is expected to give rise to reinforcement of mechanical property. Furthermore, their different curvature of particles can introduce complicated dynamics of polymer interfacial layer. Our group is interested in general understanding of structural and rheological properties of polymer nanocomposites with bimodal particle and verifying possibility of application of functional binary nanoparticles systems.