![Sample our Physical Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110819/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Physical-Sciences.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
This article reports on the morphology, interfacial interaction, thermal stability, and thermal degradation kinetics of polycarbonate (PC)/mesoporous silica (MCM-41) composites with various MCM-41 contents, prepared by melt compounding. The composites with low filler loadings (<0.3 wt%) maintained their transparency because of the well dispersed MCM-41 particles, but at higher filler loadings the composites lost their transparency due to the presence of agglomerates. The presence of agglomerates decreased the thermal stability of PC due to the reduced effectiveness of the particles to immobilize the polymer chains, free radicals, and volatile degradation products.
Additional information
Funding
The authors acknowledge the University of Palermo for supporting this research through the CORI2013 (Bando per la concessione di contributi per l’avvio e lo sviluppo di collaborazioni dell’Ateneo 2013-Azione D—prot. 32827 del 2/5/2013). SAXS, NMR, and TEM experimental data were provided by Centro Grandi Apparecchiature, Università di Palermo funded by P.O.R. Sicilia 2000–2006, Misura 3.15 Azione C Quota Regionale. The National Research Foundation in South Africa funded the bursary of the student who worked on this project.