(466b) Hydrogen Bond Induced Exfoliation of Nanoparticles in Polymer Matrix and Its Application in Foaming Process with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Diblock copolymer polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinyl pyridine) was synthesized by anionic polymerization with controlled molecular weight and component ratio. The monomer 2-vinyl pyridine can form hydrogen bond with the hydroxyl group on the surface of functionalized nanoparticles, which is able to induce the exfoliation of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. Physical properties of the polymer affected by nanoparticles were investigated. The block copolymer mixed with nanoparticles was further used as a model material for the investigation of polymer nanocomposite foams, using supercritical carbon dioxide as a physical blowing agent. Experimental results show that adding nanoparticles can increase the cell density and decrease the cell size down to microcellular scale.