Research on Quantitative Characterization of Dispersion of Nano Particles Based of Fractal Dimension.

A method based on fractal dimension to characterize the agglomeration behavior of nanoparticles was developed. By analyzing the transmission electron microscope images of nano-SiO₂ particles, the distribution state of SiO₂ distributed in silicone rubber was observed by frozen section. The relationship between fractal dimension and oil absorption value, surface hydroxyl number, mechanical properties and so on was explored. The results show that the larger of agglomeration of nanoparticles is, the greater the fractal dimension; through the calculation of the fractal dimension of ultrathin slices of nano-SiO₂ reinforced silicone rubber, it can be known that the agglomeration of nanoparticles in polymers also presents the same trend, the larger the fractal dimension, the greater the degree of agglomeration; in addition, the fractal dimension increases, the oil absorption value of nano-SiO₂ get smaller, surface hydroxyl groups becomes fewer, and the tensile strength, tear strength and hardness of the silicone rubber sheet increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]