Title:

Matrix Effects in Polymer Nanocomposites

Speaker:

Dr. Meisha Shofner

Affiliation:

School of Polymer, Textile & Fiber Engineering, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Tech

When:

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 3:00:00 PM   Add to Calendar

Where:

Love Building, Room 183

Host:

Valeria Milam
valeria.milam@mse.gatech.edu

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites have been processed and characterized for over 100 years, beginning with research concerning filled elastomers and the relevant reinforcement mechanisms in these systems. In the past 20 years, renewed interest in nanocomposites has concerned elucidating changes in polymer behavior at the particle-polymer interface. The excess specific surface area of nanoparticles provides increased opportunity for polymer-particle interactions and changes to polymer conformation in the interfacial zone. Attempts to understand the structure and dynamics of the polymer surrounding nanoparticles have centered primarily making comparisons between nanocomposites with different nanoparticle surface chemistry. The Shofner group has taken a different approach to understand polymer structure in nanocomposites by exploring the effect of bulk matrix morphology on properties. Research comparing chemically similar polymer matrices with different morphologies, amorphous and semi- crystalline, as well as with polymers possessing different amounts of crystallinity has been performed to probe the contribution of bulk matrix structure on nanocomposite morphology and properties. The results of these studies have shown that bulk matrix structure has an impact on nanoparticle dispersion, polymer crystallization, and reinforcement efficacy. In this presentation, experimental results concerning the effects of matrix structure on the resulting interfacial material and properties will illustrate its impact on nanocomposite design.

Biography

Dr. Meisha Shofner is an Assistant Professor in the School of Polymer, Textile & Fiber Engineering with a courtesy appointment to the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She received her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin in 1997 and her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Rice University in 2004. Prior to joining the faculty at Georgia Tech in 2005, she conducted post-doctoral research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Dr. Shofner's research interests at Georgia Tech concern the processing and physical properties of polymer matrix composite materials with specific emphasis on nanocomposites. Her research has been recognized with the Solvay Advanced Polymers Young Faculty Award in 2006 and the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award from Oak Ridge Associated Universities in 2007. She is a registered Professional Engineer in Georgia.