Hierarchical Dynamics of Polymer/Molecular Nanoparticles Hybrid Systems

Fundamental understanding of the effects of the nanoparticles on chain conformation and dynamics of the polymers in hybrid polymer systems is interesting in both academic and industrial fields. Herein, the hierarchical dynamics of non-sticky polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane molecular nanoparticles (MNPs) tethered type-A polymer, poly(1, 2-butylene oxide) (PBO), and the PBO/MNPs nanocomposites have been studied. Non-crystalline and dielectric "invisible" MNP was specially designed to ensure its miscibility with PBO matrix. The chain dimension and dynamics of PBO in the nanocomposites have been investigated in broad frequency and temperature windows by utilizing broadband dielectric spectroscopy and rheology. The confinement, solvent and filler effects in this type of non-sticky nanocomposite model system have been discussed. Segmental and chain dynamics of PBO tethered with MNPs have been also investigated experimentally by a combination of broadband dielectric spectroscopy, rheology, and pulsed-field-gradient nuclear magnetic resonance techniques, to provide a fundamental understanding of the effects of chain ends and topology on the hierarchical dynamics of polymers.