Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Molecular Mechanisms of Failure in Polymer Nanocomposites

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

310 Scopus citations

Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulations of polymers reinforced with nanoscopic filler particles reveal the mechanisms by which nanofillers improve the toughness of the material. We find that the mobility of the nanofiller particle, rather than its surface area, controls its ability to dissipate energy. Our results show similarities between the toughening mechanisms observed in polymer nanocomposites and those postulated for biological structural materials such as spider silk and abalone adhesive.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume89
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Molecular Mechanisms of Failure in Polymer Nanocomposites'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this