Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2025

Application of a Coupling Agent to Improve the Dielectric Properties of Polymer-Based Nanocomposites
Published on: September 19, 2020
Polymer Chain Behavior in Polymer Nanocomposites with Attractive Interactions
Nicolas Jouault1,2, Michael K Crawford3, Changzai Chi3
1Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire PHENIX, Case 51, 4 place Jussieu, F-75005 Paris, France.
Abstract:
Chain behavior has been determined in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) comprised of well-dispersed 12 nm diameter silica nanoparticles (NPs) in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrices by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) measurements under the Zero Average Contrast (ZAC) condition. In particular, we directly characterize the bound polymer layer surrounding the NPs, revealing the bound layer profile. The SANS spectra in the high-q region also show no significant change in the bulk polymer radius of gyration on the addition of the NPs. We thus suggest that the bulk polymer conformation in PNCs should generally be determined using the high q region of SANS data.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism
Polymers
Polymer Classification: Architecture
Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

