The effect of silica nanotubes on mechanical performance of polymethyl methacrylate nanocomposites: Comparison to spherical nano-silica

Abstract

Silica nanotubes (SNTs) were synthesized via sol–gel method using ammonium tartrate as template, and then spherical nano-silica (SiO₂) and SNTs which have different geometric morphology were introduced into polymer matrix to obtain polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)/SiO₂ and PMMA/SNTs microspheres via in situ suspension polymerization, respectively. The morphology of synthesized SNTs and microspheres were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), while the structure of SiO₂ and SNTs, as well as the interaction between PMMA and SiO₂ or SNTs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The dispersion of SiO₂ in the PMMA/SiO₂ nanocomposites was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The molecular weight of the extracted PMMA was measured by gel permeation chromatograph. Finally, the mechanical properties were studied in detail and the tensile fracture surface was studied by SEM. The result indicated that, SNTs with uniform size and high aspect ratio were prepared successfully, and the mechanical properties of PMMA/SNTs nanocomposites were improved greatly due to the introducing of SNTs. However, the mechanical properties of the PMMA/SiO₂ nanocomposites decreased overall. Due to the special tubular structure of SNTs, it is much easier for them to be dispersed in polymer matrix compared with spherical SiO₂. This work reveals the potential application of SNTs in polymer-based nanocomposites.

Keywords

Silica nanotubes polymethyl methacrylate suspension polymerization microspheres mechanical properties geometric structure

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