Interphase Models for Nanoparticle-Polymer Composites

AbstractIn this work, the interphase effects of nanoparticle enhanced polymer composite materials are investigated. Three interphase models based on finite size representative volume element (RVE) are proposed to estimate the effective material properties of nanoparticle-polymer composites, including” (1) The finite Eshelby tensor based shell model, (2) An improved double inclusion model, and (3) A modified Hashin-Shtrikman model. These micromechanics models are employed to analyze the interphase phase effects on the effective material properties of nanoparticle-polymer composites. One crucial factor that influences the strength of nanoparticle enhanced polymer composites is the material properties of the interphase between nanoparticles and the corresponding polymer matrix. These three improved micromechanics models are designed to incorporate interphase effects. Using the interphase models, the authors estimate the effective Young’s and shear moduli for a set of four material systems of silica nanoparti...