Impact of particle size in PE/ATH composites: The relationship between the interphase and water uptake
Résumé
The impacts of particle size and polymer-filler interactions on water uptake in PE/ATH composites were characterized by combining several analytical tools to perform a multiscale analysis. SEM images and Raman confocal analysis were performed to characterize the dispersion and distribution of ATH micro- and nanoparticles, and AFM peak force analysis provided images of the interphases of the PE/ATH composites. Water uptake by gravimetry and thermoporosimetry was compared for the PE/ATH composites based on the size of the ATH micro- or nanoparticles. The water absorption was related to the specific surface area of the ATH particles and the interphases in the PE/ATH composites.