US-Egypt Cooperative Research: Role of the Interface in the Reinforcement of Nanofilled Polymer Composites

0318536 Beckham描述：该奖项是为了支持格鲁吉亚亚特兰大格鲁吉亚理工学院纺织和纤维工程系Haskel Beckham博士和Mohamed A.埃及赫勒万赫勒万大学化学系Sharaf。纳米填料增强的聚合物复合材料将被制备用于对填料-聚合物界面内的分子结构和动力学进行固态核磁共振（NMR）研究。 与用微米尺寸的填料增强的聚合物相比，用纳米尺寸的填料颗粒增强的聚合物表现出显著增强的强度。由于小的颗粒尺寸，界面体积足够高，先进的固态NMR技术可用于原位研究。 二氧化硅颗粒将被制备成具有受控的尺寸和表面处理，用于掺入到聚（二甲基硅氧烷）的非结晶基质中以及掺入到聚（乙烯）的半结晶基质中。 表面处理将使固有亲水性二氧化硅表面改性为不同程度的疏水性和与两种基质聚合物中的每一种的相容性。 固态核磁共振将用于检查界面的分子结构和动力学。纳米复合材料还将通过显微镜方法和机械测试方法进行表征。该项目的结果将允许在纳米填充聚合物复合材料中构建分子结构/性能关系。这种关系可以用于改善现有材料的性能（例如，轮胎），以及用于新应用的新填料增强材料的设计（例如，运输或建筑中的高强度纤维）。 适用范围：该提案涉及一个重要的和当前的问题，因为界面在填料增强中的作用是弹性体和纳米复合材料社区感兴趣的。 纳米粒子填充的聚合物有许多潜在的应用。 格鲁吉亚理工学院的设施。和赫勒万大学足以进行拟议的研究，通过他们的合作，研究人员有能力准备和研究新的材料。格鲁吉亚理工学院拥有使用固态核磁共振的设备和专业知识。 这项研究涉及一个非常基本的方法来研究聚合物动力学，但PI是在材料的技术方面的知识。该项目将促进美国和埃及之间的科学合作。 美国学生将在这个项目中发挥作用，并将进一步为成为独立的科学家做好准备。该项目应导致训练有素，多学科，学生。 该项目得到了美国-埃及联合基金方案的支持，该方案向两国的科学家和工程师提供赠款，以开展这些合作活动。

0318536BeckhamDescription: This award is to support a cooperative research project between Dr. Haskel Beckham, Department of Textile and Fiber Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia and Dr. Mohamed A. Sharaf, Department of Chemistry, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt. Nanoscopic-filler-reinforced polymer composites will be prepared for solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) investigation of the molecular structure and dynamics within the filler-polymer interphase. Polymers reinforced with nanometer-sized filler particles exhibit significantly enhanced strength compared to those reinforced with micrometer-sized fillers. Due to the small particle size, the interfacial volume is sufficiently high that advanced solid-state NMR techniques may be used for in situ studies. Silica particles will be prepared with controlled size and surface treatment for incorporation into a noncrystalline matrix of poly (dimethylsiloxane) and also into a semicrystalline matrix of poly (ethylene). The surface treatment will modify the intrinsically hydrophilic silica surface to varying degrees of hydrophobicity and compatibility with each of the two matrix polymers. Solid-state NMR will be used to examine the interfacial molecular structure and dynamics. The nanocomposites will also be characterized by microscopic methods and by mechanical testing methods. The results from this project will allow construction of molecular structure/property relationships in nanofilled polymer composites. Such relationships can be used to improve properties of existing materials (e.g., tires), and the design of new filler reinforced materials for novel applications (e.g., high-strength fibers in transportation or architecture). Scope: This proposal deals with an important and current issue as the role of the interface in filler reinforcement is of interest to the elastomer and nanocomposite communities. There are many potential applications for polymers filled with nanoparticles. The facilities at both Georgia Tech. And Helwan University are adequate for conducting the proposed research and, through their collaboration, the investigators have the ability to prepare and study novel materials. The facilities and expertise to use solid state NMR are present at Georgia Tech. The research involves a very fundamental approach to the study of polymer dynamics but the PIs are knowledgeable in the technological aspects of the materials. The project will foster scientific collaboration between the US and Egypt. U.S. students will have roles in this project, and will further their preparation to be independent scientists. The project should result in well-trained, multi-disciplinary, students. This project is being supported under the US-Egypt Joint Fund Program, which provides grants to scientists and engineers in both countries to carry out these cooperative activities.