Size-dependent linear rheology of silica filled poly(2-vinylpyridine)

Publication date: 9 November 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 130
Author(s): Yihu Song, Qiang Zheng
Nanoparticles reinforcement of polymers has been of great interest to researchers for the better part of a century. However, researchers are in confusion in describing the role of filler network. Herein we report a framework to solve both reinforcement and dissipation of nanocomposites with respect to strain amplification effect of dynamically retarded bulk polymer phase and jamming of nanoparticles in the filler phase, disclosing a new mechanism differing from previously established ones. We show how the viscoelastic filler phase impacts on the terminal flow of the matrix. Our finding, which counters the conventional understandings of nanoparticles reinforcement, provides a unique description of linear rheology of nanocomposites comprised by fillers of different sizes and polymers of different molecular weights.

Graphical abstract

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