Method for Fabrication of High Dispersion Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract

The present invention includes the efficient dispersion and high loading of fillers in a thermoplastic polymer matrix. In a first general embodiment, the present invention includes a method wherein fillers are first synthesized and dispersed in a liquid monomer. The liquid monomer is then polymerized to a solid. The nanofillers may be silver nanoparticle/nanowire fillers. Ethylene glycol may serve as a solvent, reducing agent as well as precursor monomer for polymerization. In a second general embodiment, the present invention includes a method wherein fillers may be separately synthesized (or obtained commercially) and then added and dispersed in a liquid monomer. The liquid monomer is then polymerized to a solid. In a third general embodiment, a composite is synthesized using interfacial polycondensation. This is accomplished by aggressive mixing of two solvents during the reaction. The aggressive mixing forms microdroplets (i.e., emulsion) and hence dramatically increases the interface area thereby to a much faster polymerization rate.