Thermal and Mechanical Analysis of Silver Carbon Nanoparticle-PMMA Nanocomposites Obtained by Miniemulsion Polymerization

Silver/carbon nanoparticle--poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites were obtained by in situ miniemulsion polymerization. It was found by electron microscopy that nanoparticles did not disperse individually but as aggregates; however, notable increments in glass transition temperature in the order of 5 to 15 °C, determined by differential scanning calorimetry, were registered by the addition of small amounts of the nanofiller (0.025, 0.050 or 0.10wt %). Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated gains in mechanical properties, which were related to nanoparticle/polymer interfacial interaction. Results also suggested that dispersion efficiency was a determining aspect in mechanical and thermal performance.