The roles of nanoparticles accumulation and interphase properties in properties of polymer particulate nanocomposites by a multi-step methodology

The dispersion/accumulation of nanoparticles and interphase condition significantly affect the mechanical properties of polymer particulate nanocomposites. In this article, the roles of these parameters on the tensile modulus and strength of polymer nanocomposites are studied by original or developed models and equations. The main focus is performed on the concentration, size and modulus of nanoparticles as well as the thickness, modulus and strength of interphase. The accumulation of nanoparticles and poor interphase weaken the modulus of nanocomposites. Moreover, the strength of nanocomposites intensely depends on the interphase properties. The high concentration of nanoparticles can improve the strength of nanocomposites only when a thick and strong interphase is provided between polymer matrix and nanoparticles. However, big particles due to the accumulation of nanoparticles decrease the strength of nanocomposites at different levels of interphase properties. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.