Quantifying the degree of nanofiller dispersion by advanced thermal analysis: application to polyester nanocomposites prepared by various elaboration methods

An innovative thermal analysis methodology is applied for the characterization of poly(e-caprolactone)
(PCL) nanocomposites containing layered silicates, needle-like sepiolite or polyhedral oligomeric
silsesquioxane (POSS) nano-cages, aiming at assessing the key factors affecting nanofiller dispersion
and nanocomposite properties. This methodology takes benefit of the fact that--for a given nanofiller
aspect ratio--the magnitude of the excess heat capacity recorded during quasi-isothermal
crystallization is directly related to the occurrence of pronounced changes to the PCL crystalline
morphology. The extent of these changes, in turn, directly depends on the amount of matrix/filler
interface and can therefore be considered a reliable measure for the degree of nanofiller dispersion, as
supported by complementary morphological characterization. The importance of processing
parameters is demonstrated in a comparative study using various melt processing conditions,
evidencing the need for high shear to effectively exfoliate and disperse individual nanoparticles
throughout the polymer matrix. Furthermore, the choice of the nanocomposite elaboration method is
shown to profoundly affect the final morphology, as illustrated in a comparison between
nanocomposites prepared by melt mixing, by in situ polymerization and by a masterbatch approach.
Grafting PCL onto the filler strongly enhances its dispersion quality as compared to conventional melt
mixing; subsequently further dispersing such grafted nanohybrids into the polymer matrix through
a masterbatch approach provides a highly efficient method for the elaboration of well-dispersed
nanocomposites. Finally, the crucial issue of interfacial compatibility is addressed in a comparison
between various surface-treated layered silicates, showing that high degrees of filler dispersion in a PCL
matrix can only be achieved upon polar modification of the silicate.