Microemulsion nanocomposites: phase diagram, rheology and structure using a combined small angle neutron scattering and reverse Monte Carlo approach

TL;DR

This study investigates how silica nanoparticles influence the phase behavior, rheology, and microstructure of microemulsion networks, revealing nanoparticle participation in the network and a reinforcement effect modeled by droplet adsorption.

Contribution

It combines small angle neutron scattering and reverse Monte Carlo modeling to elucidate the microstructure and reinforcement mechanisms in silica nanoparticle–microemulsion nanocomposites.

Findings

Nanoparticles shift the phase diagram and percolation threshold.

Nanoparticles reinforce the network, affecting modulus and relaxation time.

Microstructure analysis shows droplets adsorb onto nanoparticle surfaces.

Abstract

The effect of silica nanoparticles on transient microemulsion networks made of microemulsion droplets and telechelic copolymer molecules in water is studied, as a function of droplet size and concentration, amount of copolymer, and nanoparticle volume fraction. The phase diagram is found to be affected, and in particular the percolation threshold characterized by rheology is shifted upon addition of nanoparticles, suggesting participation of the particles in the network. This leads to a peculiar reinforcement behaviour of such microemulsion nanocomposites, the silica influencing both the modulus and the relaxation time. The reinforcement is modelled based on nanoparticles connected to the network via droplet adsorption. Contrast-variation Small Angle Neutron Scattering coupled to a reverse Monte Carlo approach is used to analyse the microstructure. The rather surprising intensity curves are shown to be in good agreement with the adsorption of droplets on the nanoparticle surface.