Spotlight

  • polymer nanocomposite

    Mechanisms of reinforcement in polymer nanocomposites

    Nanoparticles of carbon or silica, for example, are routinely added to polymers during their processing to tune the mechanical and chemical properties of the polymer. Such systems are known as polymer nanocomposites. In this work we have uncovered some of the molecular mechanisms that govern the mechanical strengthening of polymer nanocomposites.