TY - JOUR
T1 - Quantifying the 3D multiscale dispersion structure of nanofillers in polymer nanocomposites by combining 3D-STEM and Synchrotron Radiation X-ray CT
AU - Li, Xiangyan
AU - Yang, Qiuping
AU - Li, Han
AU - Zhang, Liqun
AU - Hong, Song
AU - Ning, Nanying
AU - Tian, Ming
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2021/5/1
Y1 - 2021/5/1
N2 - In this study, a method for quantifying the 3D multiscale dispersion structure of nanofillers including nano-sized primary filler nanoparticles, nano-to sub-micron-sized agglomerates, and micron-sized filler networks in rubber nanocomposites was established for the first time by combining 3D-Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (3D-STEM) in a High-angle Annular Dark Field mode and Synchrotron Radiation X-ray CT. By using this method, a model of multiscale dispersion structure of silica (SiO2) in hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) nanocomposites with different SiO2-HNBR interactions (If-r) was established. Interestingly, when the content of SiO2 is near the percolation threshold, as the If-r increases, the homogeneity of SiO2 increases, the compactness of SiO2 agglomerates decreases, and the branching degree of SiO2 agglomerates increases, resulting in higher branching degree and connectivity of filler networks. Furthermore, it was firstly revealed that the stronger Payne effect directly correlate with the higher connectivity of filler networks, rather than the higher homogeneity of nanofillers.
AB - In this study, a method for quantifying the 3D multiscale dispersion structure of nanofillers including nano-sized primary filler nanoparticles, nano-to sub-micron-sized agglomerates, and micron-sized filler networks in rubber nanocomposites was established for the first time by combining 3D-Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (3D-STEM) in a High-angle Annular Dark Field mode and Synchrotron Radiation X-ray CT. By using this method, a model of multiscale dispersion structure of silica (SiO2) in hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) nanocomposites with different SiO2-HNBR interactions (If-r) was established. Interestingly, when the content of SiO2 is near the percolation threshold, as the If-r increases, the homogeneity of SiO2 increases, the compactness of SiO2 agglomerates decreases, and the branching degree of SiO2 agglomerates increases, resulting in higher branching degree and connectivity of filler networks. Furthermore, it was firstly revealed that the stronger Payne effect directly correlate with the higher connectivity of filler networks, rather than the higher homogeneity of nanofillers.
KW - A. nano-structures
KW - B. Rheological properties
KW - D. Electron microscopy
KW - X-ray computed tomography
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85101550485
U2 - 10.1016/j.compositesb.2021.108687
DO - 10.1016/j.compositesb.2021.108687
M3 - 文章
AN - SCOPUS:85101550485
SN - 1359-8368
VL - 212
JO - Composites Part B: Engineering
JF - Composites Part B: Engineering
M1 - 108687
ER -