Two-step method for predicting Young's modulus of nanocomposites containing nanodiamond particles

Abstract

In this study, a sophisticated two-step methodology is proposed that incorporates the Kolarik and Hashin–Hansen models to precisely evaluate the effects of the interphase on the Young's modulus of nanodiamond (ND)-filled composites. Initially, the ND particles and their surrounding interphase were modeled as a core-shell structure, and the modulus of this structure was calculated. Subsequently, the core-shell particles were considered as a dispersed phase within a polymer matrix, leading to determination of the Young's modulus of the nanocomposite. The results obtained using the proposed method agreed well the experimental data of various nanocomposite samples. Furthermore, a robust correlation was indicated between the interphase properties and nanocomposite modulus. Notably, an interphase characterized by a thickness of 10 nm, modulus of 50 GPa, and a filler volume fraction of 0.02 increased the nanocomposite modulus to more than 3 GPa, assuming a matrix modulus of 1 GPa. Additionally, the findings revealed that ND particles with radii smaller than 4 nm had a remarkable influence on the nanocomposite modulus, whereas a high ND modulus had a minimal effect.

Keywords

• Polymer/nanodiamond composites
• Young's modulus
• Interphase
• Modeling