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Roles of in situ surface modification in controlling the growth and crystallization of CaCO3 nanoparticles, and their dispersion in polymeric materials

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Abstract

The in situ surface modification of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) and its influence on the size, morphology, and particle surface properties is increasingly receiving attention. Control of the size and morphology and perfect dispersion of inorganic NPs in polymer matrices fabricates soft materials with unique optical, electrical, magnetic, gas barrier, self-healing, and thermal and mechanical properties. This study explores the strategy of the in situ modification of inorganic NPs (CaCO3) with cationic and anionic surfactants and the role of in situ modification on the dispersion of these NPs in thermoplastic polymers (poly ε-caprolactone, PCL). The surfactants having an appropriate polar head with a high charge density bind onto the crystal’s nuclei, protect them against extensive aggregation, and consequently control the size, morphology, and surface properties of the produced NPs. This permits formulation of hybrid materials with enhanced thermal stability and tensile modulus and with a marked increase of the crystallization rate.

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Acknowledgements

The present study is a part of Ahmed Barhoum’s Ph.D. work, which was financially supported by the French Culture Center in Cairo (grant no. 759302C), the Medastar Erasmus Mundus Program (Grant no. 2011-4051/002-001-EMA2) and the Strategic Initiative Materials in Flanders (SBO- project no. 130529 - Insitu).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials and Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Ahmed Barhoum, Luk Van Lokeren, Hubert Rahier & Guy Van Assche

  2. SIM vzw, Technologiepark 935, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Belgium

    Ahmed Barhoum

  3. Université Grenoble Alpes, LGP2, 38000, Grenoble, France

    Ahmed Barhoum & Alain Dufresne

  4. CNRS, LGP2, 38000, Grenoble, France

    Alain Dufresne

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  1. Ahmed Barhoum
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  2. Luk Van Lokeren
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  5. Guy Van Assche
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Correspondence to Ahmed Barhoum.

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Barhoum, A., Van Lokeren, L., Rahier, H. et al. Roles of in situ surface modification in controlling the growth and crystallization of CaCO3 nanoparticles, and their dispersion in polymeric materials. J Mater Sci 50, 7908–7918 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9327-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9327-z

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