(671h) How Adsorption Governs Chain Dynamics in Polymer Nanocomposites

Annealing-induced polymer adsorption at the polymer-nanoparticle interface has been demonstrated to perturb the local glassy properties in polymer nanocomposites, however challenges in characterizing such perturbations posed obstacles in obtaining a precise understanding of the complex interplay between annealing time, chain adsorption, and perturbed local properties. Recently, we developed a technique for localizing chemical labels within areas of polymer adsorption, such that measurement signals are received only from this labeled region. This approach has afforded a new and effective approach to obtaining information about locally perturbed properties, but until now has focused exclusively on the glass transition temperature. Here, we extend our approach to consider how polymer adsorption governs chain mobility. By combining dielectric techniques and TEM imaging, we investigate the relationship between adsorbed layer thickness and the corresponding dynamic perturbances attributable to chain adsorption. The findings of this study may inform the design of new and improved nanocomposite materials.