0000000000240107
AUTHOR
F. Negroni
Structural investigation of hybrid nanocomposites
Ultra small (USANS) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) techniques were employed to study an elastomer styrene–butadiene, where two kinds of silica fillers have been added in different amounts. Small silica-particle fillers are expected to modify morphological and mechanical properties when dispersed in the copolymer matrix. The USANS and SANS techniques can span a wide range of momentum transfer, investigating morphological properties of the filled elastomer over a number of decades in length scale. Surface and mass fractal behavior has been observed over different length scales.
QENS investigation of filled rubbers
The polymer segmental dynamics is investigated in a series of silica-filled rubbers. The presence of inert fillers in polymers greatly affects the mechanical and physical performance of the final materials. For example, silica has been proposed as a reinforcing agent of elastomers in tire production. Results from quasielastic neutron scattering and Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) measurements are presented on styrene–ran-butadiene rubber filled with silica. A clear indication is obtained of the existence of a bimodal dynamics, which can be rationalized in terms of the relaxation of bulk rubber and the much slower relaxation of the rubber adsorbed on the filler surface.