Polycarbonate/SiC nanocomposites—influence of nanoparticle dispersion on molecular mobility and gas transport

Abstract

Abstract Plasma synthesized silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles were dispersed in dichloromethane/poly(bisphenol‐A‐carbonate) (PC) solutions by high power ultrasonification. Samples were then prepared by film casting under well adapted preparation conditions. The influence of the SiC nanoparticles on the molecular mobility of the PC is studied by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. No effect on the cooperative segmental mobility (glass transition) was detected. But the relaxation region corresponding to localized fluctuations is strongly broadened and the activation energy is reduced with increasing nanoparticle concentration. The most significant change was observed in the relaxation region between α ‐ and β ‐process. The gas transport properties of these nanocomposite films are characterized in terms of permeability, diffusivity and solubility. Results can be interpreted based on an altered local free volume distribution and a change of molecular mobility of the polymer matrix near the nanoparticle surface which is in agreement with the dielectric results. Concentration dependent CO 2 permeation experiments reveal a significant reduction of plasticization effects in the nanocomposites compared to the pure PC. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.