Understanding the effect of selectively localized nanoparticles on the morphology, crystalline behavior and resulting properties of partially miscible amorphous-crystalline blends

Blending polymers is a cost effective method that offers the possibility to enhance the overall properties by synergistically combining the properties of the components. Apart from copolymers, nanoparticles can compatibilize immiscible polymer blends and alter the thermodynamics and kinetics of demixing in partially miscible blends because they influence the segmental dynamics and intermolecular cooperativity. In semi-crystalline polymers, nanoparticles affect crystallisation. In addition, enhancement of mechanical properties and in case of conductive nanoparticles, electrical conductivity can be achieved. Hence, the addition of nanoparticles to partially miscible blends consisting of an amorphous and a semicrystalline polymer can lead to a rich variety of morphologies thereby providing a large potential to tailor mechanical and electrical properties. To allow rational material design, we are proposing a research project in which the effect of functionalized conductive nanoparticles on the crystallization, phase separation morphology, mechanical and dielectric properties in a semicrystalline phase separating blend is investigated in a fundamental and systematic way. We will employ state of the art techniques in which flow is combined with other physical characterizations such as rheo-DSC and rheo-dielectrics. The latter approach is challenging but offers unique opportunities to unravel the different mechanisms that determine morphology development and resulting properties.