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Nanoscale Structure-Property Relations in Self-Regulated Polymer Grafted Nanoparticle Structures

ORAL

Abstract

Using a model system of poly(methyl methacrylate) grafted silica nanoparticles (PMMA-NP) and poly(styrene-ran-acrylonitrile) (SAN), we generated unique polymer nanocomposite morphologies by balancing the degree of phase separation and wetting within the films. Depending on the annealing temperature, the thin films undergo different stages of phase evolution, resulting in homogenously dispersed systems at low temperatures and three-dimensional bicontinuous structures of PMMA-NP pillars sandwiched between two PMMA-NP wetting layers at high temperatures. Using a combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM), AFM nanoindentation, and optical microscopy, we show that these self-regulated structures lead to nanocomposites with increased modulus, hardness, and thermal stability compared to analogous PMMA/SAN blends. These studies demonstrate the ability to reliably control nanocomposite surface morphologies, which have attractive technological applications where surface-dependent properties such as wettability, durability, and the friction are important.

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Presenters

  • John McClimon

    University of Pennsylvania

Authors

  • John McClimon

    University of Pennsylvania

  • Shawn Maguire

    Materials Science & Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania

  • Connor R Bilchak

    Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania

  • Austin Wesley Keller

    Materials Science & Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania

  • Sage Fulco

    University of Pennsylvania

  • Kevin Turner

    University of Pennsylvania, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania

  • Russell John Composto

    Materials Science & Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania

  • Robert W Carpick

    University of Pennsylvania