Synthesis of nanodispersed filler for polymer composite materials of thermostatic purpose

Abstract

The paper presents data on the synthesis of nanosized filler for nonpolar polymer matrix. Aqueous solution of sodium methylsiliconate with empirical formula CH3–Si(OH)2ONa was used as the base component for the synthesis of nanosized filler. The production process of filler consists of several stages, these are the main ones: synthesizing of gel that was obtained in gel formation from sol colloidal solution – transformation of free-dispersed system (sol) into connected-dispersed one; gel precipitation by centrifugation and washing from ion Na+; gel drying at temperature of 100оC to obtain a powder filler; dispersion in the mill to the particle size of 0,1–1 microns. To destroy globules and diminish particle size to nanoscale level the obtained material was exposed to dispersion in planetary mill with further sonication (22 Hz). To study the obtained filler X-ray, differential thermal and microscopic methods have been used. For quantification of colloidal component (nanoparticles) in the suspension the centrifugation method was used at high speeds. It has been determined that the content of nanoparticles (up to 200 nm) in the obtained substance is about 10%. Damping edge angle of the obtained material is 110–120оC, that shows high hydrophobic properties of the synthesized powder. The obtained material possesses high dispersiveness, hydrophobicity and silicone frame resistant to the temperature range up to 531оC (there are no significant chemical transformations except dealkylation and dehydration reactions). Thermal degradation of the synthesized filler distinctly observed at the temperaturemore than 531оC.

Keywords

• nanodispersed filler
• a nonpolar matrix