Nanoscopic-Confinement Effects on Local Dynamics

S. H. Anastasiadis; K. Karatasos; G. Vlachos; E. Manias; E. P. Giannelis

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.915

Nanoscopic-Confinement Effects on Local Dynamics

S. H. Anastasiadis, K. Karatasos, G. Vlachos, E. Manias, and E. P. Giannelis

Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 915 – Published 31 January 2000

Abstract

The segmental dynamics of 1.5–2.0 nm polymer films confined between parallel solid surfaces is investigated with dielectric spectroscopy in polymer/silicate intercalated nanocomposites. The confinement effect is evident by the observation of a mode, much faster than the bulk-polymer $α$ relaxation and exhibiting much weaker temperature dependence. This is discussed in relation to either the interlayer spacing restricting the cooperative volume of the $α$ relaxation or to the dominance of the more mobile interphase regions as predicted by simulations; the data qualitatively support the former.

Received 19 February 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.915

Authors & Affiliations

S. H. Anastasiadis^*, K. Karatasos^†, and G. Vlachos

Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, P.O. Box 1527, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece

E. Manias^‡ and E. P. Giannelis

Cornell University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ithaca, New York 14853

^*Also at University of Crete, Physics Department, 710 03 Heraklion Crete, Greece.
^†Present address: University of Leeds, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
^‡Permanent address: Pennsylvania State University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University Park, PA 16802.