Chain conformations and bound-layer correlations in polymer nanocomposites.
Small angle neutron scattering studies on polystyrene loaded with spherical silica nanoparticles under contrast-matched conditions unequivocally show that chain conformations follow unperturbed Gaussian statistics independent of chain molecular weight and filler composition. Liquid state theory calculations are consistent with this conclusion and also predict filler-induced modification of interchain polymer correlations which have a distinctive scattering signature that is in nearly quantitative agreement with our observations.
Sen
Sudeepto
S
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180, USA.
Xie
Yuping
Y
Kumar
Sanat K
SK
Yang
Hoichang
H
Bansal
Amitabh
A
Ho
Derek L
DL
Hall
Lisa
L
Hooper
Justin B
JB
Schweizer
Kenneth S
KS
D003903:Deuterium; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D008970:Molecular Weight; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009502:Neutrons; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry
D011108:Polymers; D011137:Polystyrenes; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D003903:Deuterium