Dynamics of Polymer Bridges in Polymer Nanocomposites Through a Combination of Dielectric Spectroscopy and Rheology

Abstract

AbstractAn important characteristic of the inclusion of nanoparticles (NPs) into soft polymer matrices, forming polymer nanocomposites (PNCs), is their strong modification to the dynamics of the matrix polymers, including the glassy dynamics and slow dynamics. This chapter focuses on one of the most prominent slow dynamics in PNCs with well-dispersed NPs, i.e. dynamics of polymer bridges, which is the key for thermomechanical properties of PNCs. Current theoretical and experimental understandings of the structure and dynamics of the adsorbed polymers and the polymer bridging network are summarized. The rheological way of quantifying the lifetime of the adsorbed polymers, the conformational rearrangement, and the desorption dynamics, is introduced. A recent proposed theoretical rationale for explaining the various dynamic features of polymer bridging networks is discussed. In addition, outlooks including the existent challenges and future directions on the slow dynamics of polymer nanocomposites are also presented.KeywordsAdsorbed polymersPolymer bridgesShift factorsPolymer nanocompositesBroadband dielectric spectroscopyRheology