Search

A two-step methodology has been developed utilizing the models of Paul and Takayanagi to determine the modulus of polymer halloysite nanotube (HNT) products. Initially, HNTs and the adjacent interphase are considered as pseudoparticles, and their modulus is evaluated using the Paul model. Subsequently, the modulus of a nanocomposite, consisting of a polymer medium and pseudoparticles, is predicted by Takayanagi equation. The impacts of various factors on the modulus of the products are analyzed, and the results from the two-step method are compared with experimental data from different samples. It has been observed that the modulus of samples progressively increases with an increase in interphase depth. Also, a higher interphase modulus contributes to an enhanced modulus of samples. Nevertheless, excessively high interphase moduli (Ei > 60 GPa) result in only a marginal improvement in the modulus of nanocomposites. Additionally, narrower HNTs are advantageous for producing stronger samples, though the modulus of the nanocomposites slightly diminishes at very high HNT radii (R > 55 nm). The outputs of two-step method agree with the experimental moduli of various HNT-filled systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, there have been a limited number of studies modeling the tensile modulus in the polymer halloysite nanotube (HNT) systems before or after percolation onset. In this paper, an equation for a composite's modulus post-percolation onset was developed for HNT-filled samples including the interphase and HNT network. The dispersed nanoparticles and adjoining interphase part were neglected, because they caused ineffective influences on the stiffness of the system after percolation onset. The developed model reflects the impacts of HNTs' size, interphase depth, percolation onset and the volume shares and moduli of the HNT network and its adjacent interphase on the modulus of HNT-based systems. The impacts of issues on the nanocomposite modulus are defendable, confirming the effectiveness of the developed model. HNT length, interphase depth, HNT concentration, net modulus and net portion directly influenced the stiffness, while the HNT radius and percolation onset had inverse effects. Results show that there was a 142% improvement in the modulus of samples at an interphase depth of 40 nm. Moreover, the stiffness improved by 60% at a net modulus of 200 GPa, but it later exhibited a 180% enhancement at a net modulus of 1000 GPa. In addition, the experimental data for the modulus of numerous composites display fine agreement to the predictions, confirming the validity of the developed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current article, Kolarik model is progressed for the tensile modulus of a polymeric system containing dispersed halloysite nanotubes (HNT) and adjacent interphase section. The progressive model correlates the nanocomposite's modulus to HNT concentration (volume fraction and weight percentage), the extents of HNT and nearby interphase section in addition to the densities of polymer medium and HNT. The productions of the progressive model are linked to the tentative results and the influences of all variables on the modulus of system are justified. The modulus of system reduces as HNT radius increases, but HNT weight percentage directly controls the nanocomposite's modulus. The modulus of samples maximizes by 47% by the deepest interphase section of 20 nm establishing a straight link among nanocomposite's modulus and interphase thickness. The increment of polymer matrix density improves the modulus of samples, but there is an opposite relation between the modulus of system and HNT density. Furthermore, the calculations exactly match to the experimental facts of numerous examples representing the accurateness of the progressed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are limited equations for determining the mechanical performance of halloysite nanotubes (Hal)/polymer samples, and these equations ignore the reinforcing efficacy of the interphase zone. In this article, the Kolarik system is used to determine the tensile strength of Hal-reinforced nanocomposites by Hal size, Hal concentration, and interphase properties. In addition, Pukanszky model is modified for this material type to account for effective Hal concentration based on the advanced Kolarik model. Numerous sets of experimental data for several samples and parametric inspections endorse the developed models. Both interphase depth and power directly govern the nanocomposite's strength and the interphase factor "A" in the advanced Kolarik model. The lowest ranges of interphase properties lead to the lowest level of "A," and at this level, there is no strengthening of the nanocomposites. The Hal radius (R) of 10 nm and Hal length (l) of 3 μm lead to the highest "A" of 50 and the maximum relative strength of 4.5 (350% improvement in nanocomposite's strength), whereas Hal with R > 50 nm and l < 1.5 μm cannot reinforce the sample. Moreover, the Hal content, interphase parameter "B," and interphase thickness have a direct relationship with nanocomposite's strength according to the developed Pukanszky model, whereas the Hal radius has an inverse relationship. • Kolarik system is advanced for tensile strength of HNT-reinforced nanocomposites. • Pukanszky model is progressed for these nanocomposites by effective HNT concentration. • Experimental data for several samples and parametric inspections endorse the models. • Both interphase depth and strength directly manage the nanocomposite's strength. • The extremely low ranges of interphase properties cannot strengthen the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]