Interaction of Nano-Sized Materials With Polymer Chains in Polymer-Nanocomposite Thin Films-An AFM Perspective

Nanocomposite thin films were prepared with polyurethane as a matrix and organically modified clay as a filler. The interfacial interaction between the exfoliated clay nanoplatelets and the polymeric chains has been investigated by using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The nanoclay platelets show a preferential association with the hard domains of polyurethane matrix on the surface of the thin films. The pendant hydroxyl group on the nanoplatelets attract the isocyanate of the polyisocyanate and a urethane group is formed. This leads to the 'clouding' and 'entwining' of the nanoplatelets by the hard segmental chains. This is the first visual evidence of nanomaterial filler and polymer matrix interaction and it could open up a spectrum of novel property achievements in nanocomposite thin films. Also the understanding of this interaction can lead to more controlled architecture of nanocomposites.