In situ filling of SiO2 nanospheres into PTFE by sol–gel as a highly wear‐resistant nanocomposite

Abstract

AbstractIn situ filling of nanomaterials into polymers facilitates the dispersion of the nanofillers and their interface combination with the matrices, and reduces the agglomeration encountered in the nanocomposites prepared by a mechanical mixing method. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nanocomposites filled with SiO2 nanospheres (SNS) were fabricated by an in situ sol–gel method in this paper. The SNS in situ filled was highly dispersed in PTFE and showed an excellent combination with the matrix, and the fabricated SNS/PTFE nanocomposites were found a pronounced improvement in stiffness, hardness, glass transition temperature, and hydrophobicity in comparison with the pristine PTFE and the ones prepared by mechanical mixing with the same content. Furthermore, significantly reduced coefficients of friction and volume wear rates were observed on the SNS/PTFE nanocomposites prepared by in situ sol–gel. An operating temperature high up to 200°C and very low volume wear rate were accessible on the optimized SNS/PTFE nanocomposite by in situ filling. The methodology, in situ filling of nanofillers into matrices, might pave a way to prepare nanocomposites with excellent mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties.