Development of Halpin-Tsai model for polymer nanocomposites assuming interphase properties and nanofiller size

The Halpin-Tsai model for Young's modulus of composites is developed for polymer nanocomposites reinforced with spherical nanoparticles assuming interphase properties (volume fraction, thickness and modulus) and nanofiller size. The accuracy of the developed model was evaluated by experimental data on various samples. Moreover, the interphase properties can be calculated by comparing the experimental data with model predictions. The main effects of nanoparticle and interphase sizes, as well as interphase modulus, on Young's modulus of nanocomposites are also described. The results show that the developed model can accurately predict the Young's modulus of polymer particulate nanocomposites assuming the role of the interphase. It is revealed that, disregarding the interphase or using unsuitable values for interphase properties, leads to inappropriate estimation of Young's modulus in nanocomposites. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.