Aug. 17, 2015

Iranian researchers from Amirkabir University of Technology studied the effects of nanoparticles on rheological properties of polymeric nanocomposites.

Results of the research can help the design and optimum production of polymeric nanocomposites and they can reduce the production cost.
The presence of nanoparticles significantly affects the dynamic behavior of polymeric systems. For example, the presence of these nanoparticles can reduce or increase the viscosity or change the glassy transfer temperature in polymers depending on the size of particles or the interaction between the particles and the polymer. The composite of polystyrene/polyethylene nanoparticles was produced in this research and its rheological behavior was studied.
Dendrimer polyethylene nanoparticles are completely hydrophobic and they are soluble in normal organic solvents, including tetrahydrofuran and chloroform contrary to linear samples. These nanoparticles are synthesized in one step and they are about 30 nanometers in size. In addition, they have much lower bulk viscosity than linear polymers. Polyethylene nanoparticles can have various applications in different aspects, but they have mostly been used and studied as drug carriers so far.
This research studied the effects of the presence of the ultrafine nanoparticles on rheological properties of polystyrene blends. The tests showed that the viscosity of the system was lower than that of the pure polystyrene in all nanocomposites. The decrease in viscosity could not be explained by any of the existing theories. Therefore, the researchers tried to suggest probable mechanisms to explain the reason.
Results of the research will increase the production rate, decrease energy consumption, facilitate the production of complicated pieces and decrease the final price of the product.