An analysis of interfacial adhesion in nanoclay polycarbonate nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, Sato-Furukawa and Ji micromechanics models were used to explore the interfacial adhesion properties of a series of polycarbonate nanocomposite samples from the literature. Both models were used to evaluate the interfacial adhesion properties between organoclays and polycarbonate. These organoclays were formed by cation exchange between sodium montmorillonite (Na+MMT) and several ammonium montmorillonite surfactants. Several parameters, such as the adhesion parameter (ξ) in Sato-Furukawa model were examined. The ratio of thickness of the interphase region to the dispersed phase thickness ( $$\tau$$ /t), and the interface modulus (E i) in Ji model were also investigated. All calculated parameters show different extent of interfacial bonding, depending on the type of the used ammonium montmorillonite surfactant structure. Moreover, the results that a surfactant composed of poly(ethylene oxide) and octadecyl tails show 67% enhancement in stiffness. Also, an interfacial adhesion parameter (ξ) value of −61.54 reported by Sato-Furukawa model. Furthermore, a ratio of the thickness of the interphase region to the dispersed phase thickness ( $$\tau$$ /t), and an interface stiffness (E i) values of 6 and 48.31 GPa by Ji model.