Rheological behavior and barrier properties of model epoxy nanocomposites

COLL 339

Luyi Sun, sunluyi@gmail.com1, Woong Jae Boo, boowj@tamu.edu2, Abraham Clearfield, clearfield@mail.chem.tamu.edu3, and Hung-Jue Sue, hjsue@tamu.edu2. (1) Polymer Technology Center, Department of Chemistry & Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3123, (2) Polymer Technology Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, TAMU 3123, College Station, TX 77843-3123, (3) Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, P.O. Box 30012, College Station, TX 77842-3012
Fundamental knowledge on how nanoplatelets affect the rheological behavior and barrier properties of polymer matrices is pursued in this study. Two sets of model nanocomposites based on epoxy/alpha-zirconium phosphate with variations in nanoplatelet exfoliation level and aspect ratio were prepared. The results suggest that both degree of exfoliation and aspect ratio of nanoplatelets can significantly affect rheological behavior and barrier properties of epoxy nanocomposites. The experimental data fit well with some of the well established rheology and barrier property models. The underlying physics for the observed behaviors are discussed.
 

Polymer-Nanoparticle Systems: Theory, Simulation, Experiments
2:00 PM-5:00 PM, Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 227, Oral

Division of Colloid & Surface Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008