Nanostructured Immiscible Polymer Blends

Nanostructured Immiscible Polymer Blends: Migration and Interface covers a wide range of nanoparticle types, emphasizing the mechanisms and parameters involved in the migration of nanofillers inside immiscible polymer blends. This book explores the influence of nanoparticle migration on the localization, and hence, morphology development, electrical conductivity, and met-rheological properties of blended composite materials. As the influence of solid particles, ranging in size from several hundred nanometers to a few microns in immiscible polymer blends has been extensively studied for use as compatibilizers, morphology stabilizers, and reinforcement agents, this book is a timely resource. Outlines techniques used to prepare nanoparticles-modified immiscible polymer blend composites Explains the structural and morphological development, and melt-state rheological behaviors of nanoparticles-modified immiscible polymer blend composites Discusses major industrial applications

Miscibility and compatibility in polymer blends is a topic of great academic and industrial importance. This is because miscibility and compatibility contribute to morphology, properties, and performance. Miscibility results in one phase; compatibility creates a disperse phase with size and stability determined by interfacial interactions. Miscible polymer properties are averaged similar to a plasticizer polymer, and compatible polymers retain properties of each component, such as toughening or reinforcement. With miscible polymer blends the continuous phase dominates properties; the disperse phase contributes via stress transfer. This chapter revisits the criteria for miscibility or compatibility in polymer blends and the contributors of compatibility compared with miscibility and incompatibility. Development of copolymers and their blending with thermosets and thermoplastics result in complex two-phase morphologies. The dynamics of phase separation observed in polymer blends leading to different morphologies and the criteria for phase separation is explained. A nanometer-dispersed phase requires strong interfacial interactions to stabilize the large interfacial area, and this is favored by rapid spinodal phase separation compared with size diminution by high shear. Nanoblends open up a new arena for polymer blends, and research shows that nanoblends have outstanding optical and mechanical properties.

Micro- and Nanostructured Multiphase Polymer Blend Systems: Phase Morphology and Interfaces focuses on the formation of phase morphology in polymer blends and copolymers and considers various types of blends including thermosets, thermoplastics, thermoplastic vulcanizates, and structured copolymers. The book carefully debates the processing

Design and Applications of Nanostructured Polymer Blend and Nanocomposite Systems offers readers an intelligent, thorough introduction to the design and applications of this new generation of designer polymers with customized properties. The book assembles and covers, in a unified way, the state-of-the-art developments of this less explored type of material. With a focus on nanostructured polymer blends, the book discusses the science of nanostructure formation and the potential performance benefits of nanostructured polymer blends and composites for applications across many sectors: electronics, coatings, adhesives, energy (photovoltaics), aerospace, automotive, and medical devices (biocompatible polymers). The book also describes the design, morphology, and structure of nanostructured polymer composites and blends to achieve specific properties. Covers all important information for designing and selecting the right nanostructured polymer system Provides specialized knowledge on self-repairing, nanofibre and nanostructured multiphase materials, as well as evaluation and testing of nanostructured polymer systems Serves as a reference guide for development of new products in industries ranging from electronics, coatings, and energy, to transport and medical applications Describes the design, morphology, and structure of nanostructured polymer composites and blends to achieve specific properties

Nanofillers can play two important roles in polymer blends. The first is the improvement of various properties such as mechanical, barrier, thermal, flame retardancy, and electrical properties. The second is the modification of miscibility/compatibility and morphology of polymer blends. The mechanism of action of nanoparticles to modify the morphology, interfacial properties, and performance of immiscible polymer blends relies on their localization, their interactions with polymer components, and the way these additives disperse within the polymer blend. The objective of this chapter is to review the research on nanofilled thermoplastic/thermoplastic polymer blends, paying particular attention both to the distribution of nanoparticles inside a binary polymer blend and to the effect of nanofillers on the morphology and on the properties of the thermoplastic polymer blends. In a large majority of cases, thermoplastic polymer blends filled with nanoparticles show better compatibility in terms of morphology size than pure blends. Moreover, the formation of a cocontinuous structure is promoted by the presence of the nanofiller.

The design of polymer blends constitutes an interesting alternative to obtaining micro- and nanostructured surfaces. The cost is reasonable and it is free from time-consuming procedures. Blending of polymers can yield materials with unprecedented properties that cannot be provided otherwise by using a single polymer. The free surface topography of polymer blend films, often related to phase domain structure, is critical to the applications. Two main aspects need to be considered in the preparation of multistructured blends: the interfaces involved and the morphology to be obtained. The control of these two aspects depends further on materials-related parameters involving the composition of the blend, the interfacial tension or viscosity ratio, and the processing conditions related to the temperature, time, or intensity of mixing, among others. Both domain structure and topography of the blend films have garnered increasing interest over the past decade. This chapter describes the nanomicrostructures formed at the polymer surface from polymer blends. Despite the crucial role that surfaces play in the final application of the material, up to now most of the studies concerning polymer blends have been related to the control of the mechanical properties (toughness, stiffness, thermal expansion, etc.), their barrier properties, or the electrical conductivity. This chapter focuses on the analysis of the structured polymer surfaces and thin films, giving an overview of the role of these structures on the final application. The principles of phase separation and the resulting structures formed are briefly discussed, followed by a wide overview of the possibilities of producing stimuli-responsive interfaces by introducing, among other things, pH- or temperature-responsive polymers within the blend. Finally, we look at how using particular preparation conditions and/or self-assembly of block copolymers, the formation of films and surfaces with hierarchical order length-scales can be induced. We also examine the main areas in which multiscale-ordered interfaces obtained from polymer blends have been applied.

Great progress has been made in the science and technology of polymer-based nanomaterials over the last decade. Nanostructured polymer systems have attracted much scientific and applied research interest. The last two decades have witnessed significant advances in polymer science and technology generally, but more so for polymer blends. The idea of blending two (or more) polymers, especially immiscible blends, has come with a lot of challenges. Achieving this has brought to the fore the art and science (and engineering) of compatibilization. During the last few decades, the addition of nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes, and so on has advanced even further the creation of blends, alloys, and composites with different polymers. In making these blends, intermediaries such as compatibilizers, coupling agents, and other additives are often employed to bring about blends that are satisfactory for the purposes they are intended to serve. Nanostructured polymer blends formation has strongly improved the properties and structural integrities of polymer blends, by employing compatibilization as a tool to achieve such properties and structural integrities of polymer blends. Reinforcing compatibilized polymer blends with nanosize additives has further strengthened the properties and integrities of polymer blends, alloys, and composites.

Processing of polymer nanocomposites usually requires special attention since the resultant structure—micro- and nano-level, is directly influenced by among other factors, polymer/nano-additive chemistry and the processing strategy. This book consolidates knowledge, from fundamental to product development, on polymer nanocomposites processing with special emphasis on the processing-structure-property-performance relationships in a wide range of polymer nanocomposites. Furthermore, this book focuses on emerging processing technologies such as electrospinning, which has very exciting applications ranging from medical to filtration. Additionally, the important role played by the nanoparticles in polymer blends structures has been illustrated in the current book, with special focus on fundamental aspects and properties of nanoparticles migration and interface crossing in immiscible polymer blend nanocomposites. This book focuses heavily on the processing technologies and strategies and extensively addresses the processing-structure-property-performance relationships in a wide range of polymer nanocomposites, such as commodity polymers (chapter 1), engineering polymers (chapter 2), elastomers (chapter 3), thermosets (chapter 4), biopolymers (chapter 5), polymer blends (chapter 6), and electrospun polymer (chapter 7). The important role played by nanoparticles in polymer blends structures in particular is illustrated. The book is useful to undergraduate and postgraduate students (polymer engineering, materials science & engineering, chemical & process engineering), as well as research & development personnel, engineers, and material scientists.