Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based nanocomposites have attracted increasing attention due to their inherent outstanding properties. Nevertheless, the realization of high levels of dispersion of nanosilicas in PDMS represents a challenge arising from the poor compatibility between the two components. Herein, we explore the use of ionic interactions located at the interface between silica and a PDMS matrix by combining anionic sulfonate-functionalized silica and cationic ammonium-functionalized PDMS. A library of ionic PDMS nanocomposites was synthesized and characterized to highlight the impact of charge location, density, and molecular weight of ionic PDMS polymers on the dispersion of nanosilicas and the resulting mechanical reinforcement. The use of reversible ionic interactions at the interface of nanoparticles.polymer matrix enables the healing of scratches applied to the surface of the nanocomposites. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to estimate the survival probability of ionic cross-links between nanoparticles and the polymer matrix, revealing a dependence on polymer charge density for LaTeX users @article{CMugemana2022-47, author = {C. Mugemana and A. Moghimikheirabadi and D. Arl and F. Addiego and D. F. Schmidt and M. Kr\"oger and A. V. Karatrantos}, title = {Ionic polydimethylsiloxane-silica nanocomposites: Dispersion and self-healing}, journal = {MRS Bull.}, volume = {47}, pages = {1}, year = {2022} }
\bibitem{CMugemana2022-47} C. Mugemana, A. Moghimikheirabadi, D. Arl, F. Addiego, D. F. Schmidt, M. Kr\"oger, A. V. Karatrantos, Ionic polydimethylsiloxane-silica nanocomposites: Dispersion and self-healing, MRS Bull. {\bf 47} (2022) 1.CMugemana2022-47 C. Mugemana, A. Moghimikheirabadi, D. Arl, F. Addiego, D. F. Schmidt, M. Kr\"oger, A. V. Karatrantos Ionic polydimethylsiloxane-silica nanocomposites: Dispersion and self-healing MRS Bull.,47,2022,1 |