کد مقاله | کد نشریه | سال انتشار | مقاله انگلیسی | نسخه تمام متن |
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5181620 | 1380967 | 2014 | 8 صفحه PDF | دانلود رایگان |
Obtaining network-like morphology (rubber particles are unevenly distributed in the matrix, forming a discontinuous rubber network structure) has been considered to be an effective strategy to optimize the toughness of rubber-toughened polymers. However, it is very difficult to achieve using conventional processing method. In this work, taking elastomer-toughened polylactide (PLA) as an example, we attempt to use hydrophilic silica (SiO2) nanoparticles with self-networking capability to control the phase morphology and the mechanical properties of PLA/poly(ether)urethane (PU) (85/15) blend. It is interesting to find that the selective localization of SiO2 nanoparticles in the PU phase and at the phase interface induces the morphological change from a common sea-island structure to a unique network-like structure constructed by discrete PU particles with irregular shapes, thus giving rise to a remarkable improvement in the impact toughness of the blend with strength and modulus unaffected. The formation of the network-like structure is attributed to the synergistic effect between the self-networking of the interface-localized SiO2 and the enhanced elasticity of the SiO2-localized PU phase. This inspiring result proves the introduction of nanoparticles with self-networking capability into polymers blends to be a universal platform to design their performance via tuning the phase structure.
Journal: Polymer - Volume 55, Issue 6, 24 March 2014, Pages 1593-1600