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Agglomeration-free silica NPs in dry storage for PBT nanocomposite

  • Original Paper: Nano-structured materials (particles, fibers, colloids, composites, etc.)
  • Published:
Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Dispersion of nanoparticles actually plays a key role in preparing high-performance nanocomposites. Within sol–gel procedures, the Stöber method is widely used to produce monodisperse systems of silica particles with controlled size and morphology. However, if stored as dried, the Stöber silica nanoparticles form stable agglomerates that no longer resuspend. Herein, we propose a novel straightforward methodology that overcomes the irreversible aggregation of particles, ultimately leading to a very good dispersion of the filler within the polymeric matrix without any coupling agent, even long time after their preparation. This synthesis approach has been exploited to produce PBT/SiO2 nanocomposites, as a model system. The produced nanocomposites have been analyzed and characterized by multiple techniques proving a fine dispersion of the filler within the matrix, as well as a significant increase in both thermal and dynamic mechanical properties. The proposed strategy ensures high compatibility with current industrial compounding facilities and far-reaching implementation in the preparation of polymer nanocomposites.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy

    Brigida Silvestri, Aniello Costantini, Vincenzo Speranza, Giuseppina Luciani & Francesco Branda

  2. Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli-Naples, Italy

    Pietro Russo

Authors
  1. Brigida Silvestri
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  2. Aniello Costantini
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  3. Vincenzo Speranza
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  4. Giuseppina Luciani
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  5. Francesco Branda
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  6. Pietro Russo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aniello Costantini.

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Silvestri, B., Costantini, A., Speranza, V. et al. Agglomeration-free silica NPs in dry storage for PBT nanocomposite. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 78, 531–538 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-016-3985-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-016-3985-4

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