Homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion prepared with impurity-free dispersant by the ball mill technique--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Zhou, L., Zhang, H., Zhang, H., & Zhang, Z. (2013). Homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion prepared with impurity-free dispersant by the ball mill technique. Particuology, 11(4), 441–447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2013.01.001

Homogeneous nanoparticle dispersion prepared with impurity-free dispersant by the ball mill technique

Lingyun Zhou ^{a b}, Hui Zhang ^a, Hui Zhang ^a, Zhong Zhang ^a *

a National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
b University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

10.1016/j.partic.2013.01.001

Volume 11, Issue 4, August 2013, Pages 441-447

Received 30 August 2012, Revised 4 December 2012, Accepted 4 January 2013, Available online 7 March 2013.

E-mail: zhong.zhang@nanoctr.cn

Highlights

► A planetary ball milling was used to reduce the size of nanosilica agglomerates.

► Nanosilica/polyacrylate coating composites were prepared.

► Nanocomposites obtained exhibit good optical and mechanical properties.

Abstract

The homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles in solvents or polymer matrices is essential for practical application of nanocomposites. In this study, the planetary ball milling technique was used to de-agglomerate silica nanoparticles in butyl acetate. The size of the nanosilica aggregates was evaluated by TEM and SEM. With the addition of polyacrylate polymer to the organic solvent, the nanoparticle agglomerates were effectively broken up by planetary ball milling at the proper milling time; however, re-agglomeration occurred after a longer milling time. The results of TGA and FTIR indicated that the polyacrylate molecules could be adsorbed in situ onto the nanoparticles. Behaving similar to a dispersant, the adsorbed polyacrylate reduced the blend viscosity significantly and prevented re-agglomeration of the nanoparticles. Utilizing the polyacrylate polymer both as the dispersant and the polymer matrix, the polyacrylate-based nanocoatings were further prepared. The optical transmittance and haze value of the nanocoatings were found to be sensitive to the dispersion level of the nanoparticles, and the elastic modulus and hardness of the nanocoatings were improved in comparison with those of the neat polymer coating.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Nanoparticle; Nanocoating; Ball mill; Dispersant

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