Organized Polymer Nanocomposites Driven By The Electric Field

The properties of nanoparticles filled polymer composites greatly depend on the morphology of the nanopartcle in the polymer matrix.The distribution of the particle in the matrix can be adjusted or controlled by mechanical force or external field such as electrical,temperature and magnetic field.In this study,the electrical field was applied to induce the movement of the Clay nanopartcle in polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)to form the polymer nanocomposite in which the clay particles exhibit specific distribution along the thickness direction.Real-time movement of clay in the PDMS was monitored with optical microscope.the morphology of the composites and the distribution of the clay in the composites were characterized with Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(SEM/EDS)and Raman spectroscopy.The dependence of the final properties of the materials on the structure and the electrical parameters were further investigated.In the alternative current(AC)electrical field,the clay aligned into chains along the electric field,so the materials obtained under AC electrical field having the structure in which the clay oriented along Z-direction.The chain length and number of the clay depends on the electrical field strength and the frequency and time applied.The Clay/PDMS membranes in which clay oriented along Z'direction were fabricated under AC of 1400V/mm and 100 Hz for 30 min.Compared with the film untreated by electric field,the oriented films showed an overall increase on light transmittance,young ' s modulus,storage modulus and coefficient of thermal conductivity.In the direct current(DC)electrical field,the positive-charged clay move to the negative electrode along the electric field by electrophoresis.As a results,a gradient structure of clay in the matrix was achieve by controlling the voltage and applied time of electric field.a series of gradient Clay/PDMS films were prepared by using 1400V/mm of DC for 15 min.Compared to the homogeneous polymer composites,the gradient Clay/PDMS filmsshows higher tensile modulus and loss modulus.It will be a good candidate for materials of the high damping properties.