Selective localization of titanium dioxide nanoparticles at the interface and its effect on the impact toughness of poly(L-lactide)/poly(ether)urethane blends

Inorganic nanofillers are often added into polymer/elastomer blends as a third component to modify their performance. This work aims to clarify the role of interface-localized spherical nanoparticles in determining the impact toughness of polymer blends. The selective distribution of titanium dioxid...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Q. Fu, H. W. Bai, H. Xiu, C. M. Huang, C. L. Xu, X. Y. Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Budapest University of Technology and Economics 2013-03-01
Series:eXPRESS Polymer Letters
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Online Access:http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0004049&mi=cd
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Summary:Inorganic nanofillers are often added into polymer/elastomer blends as a third component to modify their performance. This work aims to clarify the role of interface-localized spherical nanoparticles in determining the impact toughness of polymer blends. The selective distribution of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in poly(L-lactide)/poly(ether) urethane (PLLA/PU) blends was investigated by using scanning electron microscope. It is interesting to find that, regardless of the method of TiO2 introduction, nano-TiO2 particles are always selectively localized at the phase interface between PLLA and PU, leading to a significant improvement in notched Izod impact toughness. The moderately weakened interfacial adhesion induced by the interfacially-localized nano-TiO2 particles is believed to be the main reason for the largely enhanced impact toughness.
ISSN:1788-618X