This talk will present our recent work using theory and simulations focused on understanding how chemical and physical features of the nanoscale additives and polymers affect the equilibrium morphology of the polymer nanocomposite. Polymer nanocomposites are a class of materials that consist of a polymer matrix embedded with nanoscale fillers or additives that enhance the inherent properties of the matrix polymer. Extensive research in the past few decades has established that the spatial arrangement or morphology of the additives in the matrix dictates the macroscopic behavior/properties of the polymer nanocomposite.  Therefore to engineer polymer nanocomposites for specific applications with target macroscopic properties (e.g. photovoltaics, photonics, automobile parts) it is important to have design rules that relate molecular features to equilibrium morphology of the composite. In the first part of the talk I will present studies on composites containing polymer grafted nanoparticles, showing how polydispersity in graft and matrix polymers (physical heterogeneity) impact dispersion of the nanoparticles within a polymer matrix. In the second part of the talk I will present our recent work linking block-copolymer functionalization to the equilibrium location of nanoparticle in a polymer matrix consisting of homopolymer blends.

Effect of physical and chemical heterogeneity in polymer functionalized nanoparticles on assembly or dispersion of the nanoparticles in a polymer matrix

247th National Meeting (2014)

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