Matrix Confinement Effects in Composites and Nanocomposites: Experiments and Molecular Modeling

该奖项的研究目标是了解热固性复合材料和纳米复合材料中的基体约束效应，特别是评估固有尺寸效应、表面效应和残余应力效应的重要性。科学的方法包括使用热固性复合材料和纳米复合材料的新模型。热固性树脂在纳米孔中的固化与约束。纳米孔固化是热固性材料在纳米颗粒和纳米管存在下固化的逆问题；然而，纳米约束系统是一个更简单的模型，因为纳米颗粒的团聚和分散问题不相关，因为更广泛的表面相互作用可以实现。实验和互补的分子模型将集中于通过改变单体结构、树脂/纳米孔表面相互作用、纳米孔尺寸和围合纳米孔基质的热膨胀系数来分离固有的尺寸效应、表面效应和残余应力效应。可交付成果将包括发展和传播新的科学知识，培训工程研究生，以及为初中女生开发一个为期一周的复合材料模块。如果成功，本研究结果将通过更好地理解约束对基体性能的影响，促进纳米复合材料和复合材料系统的设计和优化。示例应用包括用于航空航天和纳米电子学的复合材料和纳米复合材料。研究结果将通过在国家和区域论坛上的发言以及在会议论文集和档案期刊上发表来传播。参与研究的工程专业研究生将接受项目所有科学方面的培训，以及专业发展培训。还将为对科学和工程感兴趣的初中女生开发一个为期一周的复合材料模块。

The research objective of this award is to understand matrix confinement effects in thermosetting composite and nanocomposite materials, and in particular, to evaluate the importance of intrinsic size effects, surface effects, and residual stress effects. The scientific approach involves using a novel model for thermosetting composites and nanocomposites ? cure and constraint of the thermosetting resins in nanopores. Cure in nanopores is the inverse problem of thermosets cured in the presence of nanoparticles and nanotubes; however, the nanoconfined system is a simpler model because issues of agglomeration and dispersion of nanoparticles are not relevant and because a broader range of surface interactions can be realized. Experiments and complementary molecular modeling will focus on isolating intrinsic size effects, surface effects, and residual stress effects by changing monomer structure, resin/nanopore surface interactions, nanopore size, and the coefficient of thermal expansion of the confining nanoporous matrix. Deliverables will include the development and dissemination of new scientific knowledge, training of graduate engineering students, and development of a week-long module on composites for junior high school girls.If successful, the results of this research will facilitate design and optimization of nanocomposite and composite systems by providing a better understanding of confinement effects on matrix properties. Example applications include composites and nanocomposites used in aerospace and nanoelectronics. The results of the research will be disseminated by presentations at national and regional forums and by publication in both conference proceedings and archival journals. The graduate engineering students involved in the research will receive training in all scientific aspects of the project, as well as professional development training. A week-long module on composites for the junior high school girls interested in science and engineering will also be developed.