Structure of interacting aggregates of silicia nanoparticles in a polymer matrix: Small-angle scattering and reverse Monte-Carlo simulations

Oberdisse, J.; Hine, P.; Pyckhout-Hintzen, W.

doi:10.1039/b614957j

Journal Article

Structure of interacting aggregates of silicia nanoparticles in a polymer matrix: Small-angle scattering and reverse Monte-Carlo simulations

Oberdisse, J. ; Hine, P. ; Pyckhout-Hintzen, W.FZJ*

2007
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Cambridge

Soft matter 3, 476 - 485 (2007) [10.1039/b614957j]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/22855 doi:10.1039/b614957j

Abstract: Reinforcement of elastomers by colloidal nanoparticles is an important application where microstructure needs to be understood-and, if possible, controlled-if one wishes to tune macroscopic mechanical properties. Here, the three-dimensional structure of large aggregates of nanometric silica particles embedded in a soft polymeric matrix is determined by small angle neutron scattering. Experimentally, the crowded environment leading to strong reinforcement induces a strong interaction between aggregates, which generates a prominent interaction peak in the scattering. We propose to analyze the total signal by means of a decomposition in a classical colloidal structure factor describing aggregate interaction and an aggregate form factor determined by a reverse Monte Carlo technique. The result gives new insight to the shape of aggregates and their complex interaction in elastomers. For comparison, fractal models for aggregate scattering are also discussed.

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