Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry

, Volume 105, Issue 2, pp 731–736 | Cite as

Rheology of nanocomposites

Modelling and interpretation of nanofiller influence
  • Christophe Block
  • Nick Watzeels
  • Hubert Rahier
  • Bruno Van Mele
  • Guy Van Assche
Article
First Online:

Abstract

In this study, a methodology is developed for the quantitative characterisation of the nanofiller network in polymer nanocomposites via dynamic rheometry. Nanoclay-reinforced poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing. Frequency sweep experiments in the melt state display at low frequencies a solid-like elastic response that can be attributed to the formation of a physical nanofiller network. Combining a semi empirical model and the time–temperature superposition principle permits a reliable determination of the zero shear modulus that characterises the solid-like response of nanocomposites at low frequency, and which is related to the nanofiller dispersion.

Keywords

Rheology Nanocomposites Solid-like behaviour Model Time–temperature superposition 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

This study is supported by the agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT-Flanders, Belgium), the Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO, Belgium), and TA Instruments (Delaware, USA).

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Copyright information

© Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Christophe Block
    • 1
  • Nick Watzeels
    • 1
  • Hubert Rahier
    • 1
  • Bruno Van Mele
    • 1
  • Guy Van Assche
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Physical Chemistry and Polymer Science (FYSC)Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)BrusselsBelgium

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