Rheology and phase behavior of copolymer-templated nanocomposite materials

The mechanical properties of three-dimensionally organized nanocomposite materials composed of nanometer-sized inorganic particles dispersed in micelle cubic crystals is studied rheologically. The influence of parameters including temperature, relative concentrations, and the relative size of particles and the micelles that make up the cubic crystal is explored using oscillatory shear and creep measurements. These parameters have a significant influence on the mechanical properties of the final nanocomposite materials. Additionally, we find that the properties of the samples depend strongly on the temperature profile that is used to form the micelle crystal. Results indicate the importance of particle-template stoichiometry and relative particle size (to the micelle size) on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. (C) 2005 The Society of Rheology.