Structural investigation of hybrid nanocomposites

Ultra small (USANS) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) techniques were employed to study an elastomer styrene-butadiene, where two kinds of silica fillers have been added in different amounts. Small silica-particle fillers are expected to modify morphological and mechanical properties when dispersed in the copolymer matrix. The USANS and SANS techniques can span a wide range of momentum transfer, investigating morphological properties of the filled elastomer over a number of decades in length scale. Surface and mass fractal behavior has been observed over different length scales.