Reinforced local heterogeneities in interfacial tension distribution in polymer blends by incorporating carbon nanotubes

Publication date: 8 September 2017
Source:Polymer, Volume 125
Author(s): Ali Gooneie, Clemens Holzer
The modification of interface using nanoparticles in emulsions and immiscible polymer blends introduces elaborate methods to develop functional materials. In this study, we perform dissipative particle dynamics simulations to evaluate the distribution of interfacial tension over a polymer-polymer interface in the presence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The localization and interfacial self-assembly of CNTs is discussed in connection with their aspect ratio (AR) and entropic contributions. The distribution of interfacial tension is demonstrated in terms of the distribution of pressure differences across the interface. The results show large variations in the local pressure differences in the vicinity of CNTs. These variations are more pronounced when low AR CNTs are incorporated into the blends. It is argued that the self-assembly of large AR CNTs at the interface severely restricts their domain of influence while random dispersions of low AR CNTs can effectively dominate the entire interface of the dispersed phase. These new findings can help explain the shape irregularities observed in the particle-covered droplets.

Graphical abstract

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