A Two-Step Method Based on Micromechanical Models to Predict the Young's Modulus of Polymer Nanocomposites

A two-step method is suggested to predict the Young's modulus of polymer nanocomposites assuming the interphase between polymer matrix and nanoparticles. At first, nanoparticles and their surrounding interphase are assumed as effective particles with core-shell structure and their modulus is predicted. At the next step, the effective particles are taken into account as a dispersed phase in polymer matrix and the modulus of composites is calculated. The predictions of the two-step method are compared with the experimental data in absence and presence of interphase and also, the influences of nanoparticles size as well as interphase thickness and modulus on the Young's modulus of nanocomposites are explored. The predictions of the suggested model show good agreement with the experimental data by proper ranges of interphase properties. Moreover, the interphase thickness and modulus straightly affect the modulus of nanocomposites. Also, smaller nanoparticles create a higher level of modulus for nanocomposites, due to the large surface area at interface and the strong interfacial interaction between polymer matrix and nanoparticles.