Uneven distribution of nanoparticles in immiscible fluids: Morphology development in polymer blends

AbstractThe present review aims at summarizing the current knowledge on how solid nanoparticles organize in polymer blends. First, the behavior of low viscosity fluid emulsions containing solid colloidal particles is briefly presented. By contrast with polymer blends, they have been the subject of intensive studies for a long time, with both applicative and comprehensive objectives. High viscosity fluid emulsions like polymer blends loaded with nanofillers have received less attention until the recent enthusiasm about nanotechnology and more specifically polymer nanocomposites. Some similarities and differences between both types of emulsions are highlighted. The solid particles are well known to distribute unevenly in those types of complex fluids and the factors that determine their distribution in polymer blends are discussed. A particular emphasis is given on the competition between thermodynamic wetting of the solid by the polymeric phases and kinetic control of the filler localization directly linked to the rate of the mixing process. This aspect is believed to be a specificity of filled polymer blends and is known to have a drastic and sometimes predominant effect on particle localization. It explains that finely tuned morphologies can be obtained where the particles do not occupy their equilibrium position

Effects of the polydispersity on the viscoelasticity of low molecular weight polymers

cited By 5International audienceThe viscoelastic behavior of low molecular weight polymers exhibiting a fairly broad distribution has been deduced from the behavior of narrow samples by way of a linear law as a function of the density of the molecular weight distribution. Rheology of polydisperse linear polymers where the entire distribution of molecular weights is lower than 2 Me has been investigated using both binary mixtures and a broad sample of polystyrene. A decrease of the friction coefficient and of the viscosity compared to that of a narrow sample with the same Mw is observed. Therefore, the low components of broad samples play the role of plasticizers or lubricants which has been investigated in relation with the molecular weight distribution

Rheological study of quaternary ammonium‐containing star‐shaped polylactic acid

International audienceQuaternary ammonium-containing star-shaped polylactic acid (PLA-Q) is analyzed in melt rheology and found to follow a clustering behavior. The viscosity of this polymer is largely higher than its analog, of the same structure, without ammonium ions. This difference is attributed to physical interactions taking place between the ammoniums and hindering the flow of the melt polymer. The frequency sweeps of the storage (G′) and loss (G′′) modulus of the melt PLA-Q are achieved at different temperatures and different shearing times. The iso-temperature and iso-time superposition of the resulting curves were achieved using, respectively, a temperature and a time shift factors, this superposition allowed the determination of the flow activation energy; its value corresponds to an ionic process confirming the ionic interactions. When the two shift factors are used simultaneously, a unique master curve of both G′ and G′′ is obtained; this curve follows the Rouse model indicating the presence of two types of ionic associations within the melt polymer: a large number of multiplets having small size and a small number of clusters of larger size

Recumbent folding in the Upper Cretaceous Eaux‐Chaudes massif: A Helvetic‐type nappe in the Pyrenees?

International audienceWe describe a singular structure in Upper Cretaceous rocks of the Eaux-Chaudes massif of the western Pyrenees, consisting of a kilometre-scale fold nappe with a sheared overturned limb. High ductile strain attests a deformation style rarely reported for the alpine Pyrenees, and peak temperature in Upper Cretaceous carbonates is estimated by Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material palaeothermometry in the lower greenschist facies (>300°C). The normal fold limb retains the original sedimentary textures, while the overturned limb shows calcite crystal-plastic deformation and dynamic recrystallization, with crystallographic preferred orientation. The observed ductility and metamorphic temperature bear similarities with the lower Helvetic nappes of the Alps, suggesting deep burial and/or possibly high geothermal gradient in this part of the Pyrenees