Rheological behavior of reinforced polymer blends by nanoclays

• Grant number: 08/05484-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2008
• End date: January 31, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Nicole Raymonde Demarquette
• Grantee: Márcio Yee
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 06/02634-3 - Rheological characterization of polymer blends and polymer clay nanocomposites: study of the correlation rheological properties /micro-structure, AP.TEM

Abstract

Immiscible polymers are often mixed together to obtain polymer blends that are used extensively in different industrial applications such as automotive, aeronautic and packaging industries due to the synergic properties that these materials present. These properties depend strongly on the blends morphology, which can be controlled through compatibilization. The compatibilization results in a finer and more stable morphology, better adhesion between the phases of the blends and consequently better properties of the final product. Recently, with the development of clay containing nanocomposites, it has been suggested that clay can be used as compatibilizers. Rheology, can be used as a tool to control and characterize the morphology of polymer blends. Several works, including the group where the research of the future Post-Doctoral Márcio Yee will be conducted, have been conducted in the entire world on the rheology of polymer blends. However, very fes studies have been conducted on the rheology of polymer blends reinforced with nanocomposites.The aim of this Post-Doctoral Project is to study the rheological behavior of reinforced polymer blends by nanoclays. The morphology will be studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). The rheological properties will be studied in the linear and non linear viscoelastic regime. These properties may be related to the microstructure of the polymer blends and evolution of morphology, when submitted to controlled flow strains. Therefore, one of the main subjects of this research project is the rheological study. This project will also have a very important role within the Thematic Project of FAPESP 2006/02634-3, strengthening the nanocomposites and polymer blends research in the group. (AU)