(751f) Characterization of Epoxy Spin-Coated Tailored Multifunctional Nanocomposite Structures

AICHE 2011 Abstract

Title: Characterization
of Epoxy Spin-Coated Tailored Multifunctional Nanocomposite Structures

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites
provide unique solutions to industrial and scientific applications where weight
must be minimized and /or functionality maximized. Researchers are interested
in improving the ability to tailor a product to meet specific weight, thermal,
optical, mechanical and electrical requirements.  Historically functional composite structures
have been realized through a top-down approach. 
With the advent of atomic level measurement tools and experimental
techniques a bottom-up approach to the creation of multifunctional structures
is receiving intense study.  We are
developing unique multifunctional structures using such a bottom-up approach
with the intent of developing molecular simulations to guide such a process.  Properties of polymeric nanocomposite
structures are tailored and optimized through a fundamental understanding of
intermolecular forces. 

While macroscopic models of bulk
properties of polymer nanocomposites have been
characterized, much less is known on the dynamics of their interfacial
characteristics, which must be fully developed in order for the tailor
fabrication of multifunctional nanocomposites using a
bottom-up approach.  Targeted functionalization and spin coating are used to provide
consistent means of creating multilayer multifunctional thin film composite strictires allowing for the investigation of properties of
these multifunctional composites.  We
will use a surface response design of experiment in the characterization of our
system.  We investigate the effects of unique
combinations of sonication, high shear mixing, surface modification and other dispersion mechanisms
on the ability to control dispersion to create multifunctional layers of epoxy
spin coated nanocomposites in order to obtain desired
mechanical properties such as loss and storage moduli,
coefficient of thermal expansion, glass transition, among other properties. 

It is known that other variables,
such as surface morphology effect adhesion between layers.  We explore the various parameters impacting
morphology and its control, including substrate type, the impact of centripetal
forces, environmental conditions and nanoparticle dispersion.  Of particular interest is to better
understand the effect of humidity on morphology and adhesion in multifunctional
multilayer nanocomposites.  Using a controlled environment, we
investigate the impact of humidity and spin coating on the interfacial adhesion
of nanoparticles with the polymer matrix and interlayer adhesion.  In addition, we investigate the impact of
other parameters, such as curing, on our systems.

Our ability to characterize and
control dispersion using a spin coating allows us the ability to tailor make thin
film nanocomposites to meet certain specified
criteria in the production of multifunctional, multilayer nanocomposites.