Abstract

We use molecular dynamics simulations to study mechanical properties of polymeric nanocomposites of liquid inclusions in polymeric network matrix. The shear modulus of nanocomposite is shown to be a universal function of the elastocapillary number γNL/(GNR0), where γNL is the surface tension of the liquid/network interface, GN is the shear modulus of the network and R0 is the initial size of liquid inclusions. First, in the range of elastocapillary numbers, γNL/(GNR0) GN. In such composites, the surface energy of the deformed liquid inclusions stiffens the composite. When the elastocapillary number increases further, γNL/(GNR0) ≫ 1, the interfacial energy of network/l...

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