Self-Assembly of Polymer Grafted Nanoparticles In Polymer Melts

Particle-polymer and particle-particle interactions determine the state of dispersion of particles and mechanical behavior of polymer nanocomposites. I will present the unique self-assembly of polymer grafted nanoparticles in polymer melts and will couple the statics results with the microscopic particle dynamics measurements which show that particles form gels through different mechanisms. Gel-like behavior of particle dynamics underpins the mechanical reinforcement measured in these gel former nanocomposites. Additionally, local dynamics in the network, formed by the strong matrix-particle interactions, show that segmental grafted chain dynamics move slower than that of matrix as the composite forms a gel.