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Modelling the Influence of Nanoparticles in the Phase Behaviour of an Epoxy/Polystyrene Mixture, 2
Author(s) -
Figueruelo Juan E.,
Gómez Clara M.,
Monzó Isidro S.,
Abad Concepción,
Campos Agustín
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
macromolecular theory and simulations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.37
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1521-3919
pISSN - 1022-1344
DOI - 10.1002/mats.200600089
Subject(s) - epoxy , polystyrene , radius of gyration , particle size , nanoparticle , materials science , polymer blend , compatibility (geochemistry) , hydrodynamic radius , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , gyration , composite material , polymer , nanotechnology , copolymer , dynamic light scattering , geometry , mathematics , engineering
The influences of nanoparticle size and concentration on the thermodynamic behaviour of epoxy/polystyrene blends are evaluated in the framework of Ginzburg's simple analytical theory. Two approaches have been employed: NPEPO (for particles coated with epoxy groups) and NPFEN (for particles coated with phenyl groups). Using NPEPO, the particles are found to prefer the phase richer in epoxy, whereas the opposite occurs for NPFEN. The particles size significantly influences blend compatibility. When the particle radius R p is about the same size as the radius of gyration R g of PS, the compatibility of blends increases with particle concentration, whereas for R p > R g , higher particle concentrations do not clearly stabilize the polymeric blends.