Effect of Mixing Conditions on the Phase Morphology and Physical Properties of Polymer Blends - Selective Localization of Nanofiller(S)

Binary polymer nanocomposites, exhibiting improved properties, have been intensively studied during the past two decades. Similarly, polymer blends possessing versatile properties have attracted academic and industrial attention since 1980’s. The combined advantages of “nanocomposite” and “blend” show great potential in developing tailored/functional materials, and lead to the studies on polymer blend-based nanocomposites in recent years. According to the reports on immiscible blend-based nanocomposites investigations, the nanofillers could exhibit interesting “(double) percolation” phenomenon and/or played as a compatibilizer to enhance the properties of the blends. From academic and practical viewpoints, the immiscible blend-based nanocomposites merit further investigation in order to extend the applications of immiscible blends. Nevertheless, the “mixing” condition (parameters) plays an important role in controlling the final properties. Poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF) shows remarkable chemical, mechanical and electrical properties. Polycarbonate (PC), an important engineering plastic, exhibits high performance as well. In spite of possessing many unexcelled properties, PVDF and PC show some disadvantages upon certain applications. Up till now, the studies on PVDF/PC blend and the blend-based composites were limited (mainly due to the immiscible feature). In this 2-year project, the PVDF/PC blend-based nanocomposites will be prepared through different melt-mixing procedures. The studies on the relation between the nanocomposites’ phase morphology/structure and properties will be highlighted. Since nanocarbons (MWNT, GNP, nanoCB) were previously demonstrated to be well-dispersed within either PVDF or PC matrix, thus PVDF/PC/GNP and PVDF/PC/MWNT ternary nanocomposites with different nanocarbon loadings will be investigated in the first year,. In the second year, the hybrid nanocarbons, (including GNP-MWNT, GNP-nanoCB and MWNT-nanoCB) will serve as the nanofillers to prepare PVDF/PC blend-based nanocomposites for characterizations. The different nanocarbons will be added to the polymer matrix sequentially and/or simultaneously. Special attentions will pay to the selective localization of nanocarbon(s)、crystal form of PVDF (α/β/γ form?)、compatibilizer role of nanocarbons and the forming mechanism of (double) percolation. The instruments and equipments that will be employed for this project include: internal mixer, FESEM, TEM, DSC, TGA, PLM, WAXD, FTIR, DMA, rheometer, contact angle meter, resistivity/dielectric meters etc. * GNP: Graphene Nanoplatelet; nanoCB: nanoCarbon Black; MWNT: multi-walled Carbon Nanotube

Project ID:PB10501-3728
External Project ID:MOST104-2221-E182-062-MY2