Agglomeration-free silica NPs in dry storage for PBT nanocomposite

Dispersion of nanoparticles actually plays a key role in preparing high-performance nanocomposites. Within sol-gel procedures, the Stöber method is widely used to produce monodisperse systems of silica particles with controlled size and morphology. Herein, we propose a novel straightforward methodology that overcomes the irreversible aggregation of particles, ultimately leading to a very good dispersion of the filler within the polymeric matrix without any coupling agent, even long time after their preparation. This synthesis approach has been exploited to produce PBT/SiO2 nanocomposites, as a model system. The produced nanocomposites have been analyzed and characterized by multiple techniques proving a fine dispersion of the filler within the matrix, as well as a significant increase in both thermal and dynamic mechanical properties. The proposed strategy ensures high compatibility with current industrial compounding facilities and far-reaching implementation in the preparation of polymer nanocomposites.