Surface modification of ZrW ₂ O ₈ and ZrW ₂ O ₇ (OH)·2H ₂ O by in situ polymerization: Enhanced filler particles for use in composites

To explore the effect of negative thermal expansion on the reduction of the coefficient of thermal expansion of polymer with respect to that of chain stiffening, the preparation of polycarbonate composites with ZrW ₂ O ₈ and ZrW ₂ O ₇ (OH) ₂ ·2H ₂ O are attempted. In the process, the dispersion of the filler particles in the polymer needs to be optimized, and the transfer of properties at the interface between the two phases. Therefore, surface modification by in situ polymerization is performed on these two particles. Several parameters of the reaction are optimized to achieve higher surface coverage of oligomer, including reaction time and the amount of monomers and particles. On the basis of the optimized conditions, two modification steps are then used to maximize both recovered amount of modified particles and surface coverage. The composites prepared with modified particles show enhanced dispersion of the particles and interaction at the interfaces. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1359–1368, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers