Regensburg 2013 – scientific programme

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DY: Fachverband Dynamik und Statistische Physik

DY 17: Soft matter

DY 17.3: Talk

Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 10:30–10:45, H47

A phase field model for platelet-polymer nanocomposit melts — •Thomas Gruhn and Heike Emmerich — MPS, Universität Bayreuth

Nanocomposites of clay nanoplatelets in a polymer matrix combine a high mechanical strength with a low gas permeability so that they can be used, for example, as high quality fire protection materials. The orientational and spatial distributions of the platelets are very important for the materials properties and depend sensitively on the production process. We have developed a novel simulation method for studying the alignment and the density distribution of platelets in the polymer melt. The method combines phase field and liquid crystal theory and allows us to study the dynamics of a system with coexisting domains of high and low platelet concentrations as well as isotropic-nematic phase transitions. The model is used to investigate spinodal decomposition of platelets in the melt. We obtain a new type of spinodal decomposition patterns with an anisotropic structure factor. Results are studied as a function of the platelet concentration.