Role of free volume characteristics of polymer matrix in bulk physical properties of polymer nanocomposites: A review of positron annihilation lifetime studies

Polymer nanocomposites which have one or more nano-dimensional phases dispersed in polymer matrix show enhancement in bulk physical properties. In order to achieve the desired properties, a large number of polymer nanocomposites have been prepared by choosing different polymers and nanofillers. These studies showed that interfacial interaction between polymer molecules and nanofillers is the most important factor to achieve the synergistic effect towards enhancement in the bulk physical properties. The strong interfacial interaction also promotes the fine dispersion of nanofillers in a polymer matrix which consequently enables the preparation of polymer nanocomposites with higher loading of nanofillers. The polymer matrix constitutes a large volume fraction of polymer nanocomposites and hence the molecular packing of the polymer matrix itself plays a deterministic role in governing the physical properties of the nanocomposites. The strong interfacial interaction brings severe changes in the original molecular packing. In order to establish the structure-property relationships for polymer nanocomposites, characterization of molecular packing of polymer matrix in its nanocomposites is essential. In this aspect positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) is a highly suitable technique for characterization of free volume holes in polymers or polymer nanocomposites. The present review briefly describes the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy technique and relevant models for calculations of free volume hole's size, density and their size distribution in polymer nanocomposites. We present a summary of the recent studies focussed on investigation of free volume structure (molecular packing) of polymer nanocomposites using PALS and its impact on transport, thermal and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites.