The unique physical and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites have been attributed to the interfacial interactions between the organic matrix and nanoscale particles. We demonstrate the potential to tune this interaction between poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and silica nanoparticles, as a function of either nanosilica surface chemistry or polymer reactivity. Functionalized nanosili...

Abstracf The successful development of multicomponent polymer systems generally requires careful control of polymer-polymer interactions since this is important for achieving useful mechanical properties, optically clear mixtures (miscibility), coupling of impact modifiers to a bnttle matrix, compatibilization of immiscible polymers, etc. Random copolymers offer a powerful tool for achieving th...

This manuscript reports on the fabrication of plasmonic substrates using cathodic arc plasma ion implantation, in addition to their performance as SERS substrates. The technique allows for the incorporation of a wide layer of metallic nanoparticles into a polymer matrix, such as PMMA. The ability to pattern different structures using the PMMA matrix is one of the main advantages of the fabricat...

Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations are applied to investigate the origins of the surface features observed in films deposited by the Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique. The formation of transient balloon-like structures with a polymer-rich surface layer enclosing matrix vapor, observed in earlier simulations of slow heating of polymer-matrix droplets, has been...

Biodegradable polymers have been widely used as scaffolding materials to regenerate new tissues. To mimic natural extracellular matrix architecture, a novel highly porous structure, which is a three-dimensional interconnected fibrous network with a fiber diameter ranging from 50 to 500 nm, has been created from biodegradable aliphatic polyesters in this work. A porosity as high as 98.5% has bee...

In this theoretical research work, the fracture characteristics of graphene-modified polymer nanocomposites were studied. A three-dimensional representative volume element-based multiscale model was developed in a finite element environment. Graphene sheets were modeled in an atomistic state, whereas the polymer matrix was modeled as a continuum. Van der Waals interactions between the matrix an...

FT-IR microspectroscopy is used to compare the polymer and liquid crystal droplet regions within polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films. Thermoplastic polymer matrix PDLCs contain a higher amount of liquid crystal within the polymer regions than do thermoset polymer matrix films. IR functional group images of a droplet show characteristic textures corresponding to the visual images of th...

A novel biomass composite inspired from wood porous structure was manufactured by impregnating vinyl monomer into wood cellular structure under vacuum conditions, and initiating the monomer for in situ polymerization through a thermal treatment. The vacuum condition was studied, and the mechanical properties of the composite were also tested. SEM observation shows that polymer generated in the ...

The paper presents and discusses a method to achieve beneficial electrochemical effects mediated by interfaces in an ionic conducting polymer matrix. The beneficial effects include enhanced ionic transport, catalysis of anodic oxidation reaction, and stabilization of the lithium-electrolyte interface in lithium-based electrochemical cells. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) doped with LiN(SO2CF2CF3)2 (Li...

Femtosecond transient absorption measurements on single wall carbon nanotube/poly(3-hexylthiophene) composites are used to investigate the relaxation dynamics of this blended material. The influence of the addition of nanotubes in polymer matrix on the ultrashort relaxation dynamics is examined in detail. The introduction of nanotube/polymer heterojunctions enhances the exciton dissociation and...