Structure and rheological properties of model microemulsion networks filled with nanoparticles

Nicolas Puech (1) , Serge Mora (1) , Vincent Testard (1) , Grégoire Porte (1) , Christian Ligoure (1) , Isabelle Grillo (2) , Ty Phou (1) , Julian Oberdisse (1, 3)

1 LCVN - Laboratoire des colloïdes, verres et nanomatériaux
2 ILL - Institut Laue-Langevin
3 LLB - UMR 12 - Laboratoire Léon Brillouin

Model microemulsion networks of oil droplets stabilized by non ionic surfactant and telechelic polymer C18-PEO(10k)-C18 have been studied for two droplet-to-polymer size ratios. The rheological properties of the networks have been measured as a function of network connectivity and can be described in terms of simple percolation laws. The network structure has been characterised by Small Angle Neutron Scattering. A Reverse Monte Carlo approach is used to demonstrate the interplay of attraction and repulsion induced by the copolymer. These model networks are then used as matrix for the incorporation of silica nanoparticles (R=10nm), individual dispersion being checked by scattering. A strong impact on the rheological properties is found for silica volume fractions up to 9%.

Mots clés: SANS; silica nanoparticles; Reverse Monte Carlo; Rheology; microemulsion; viscoelastic; networks

Domaines: Matière Molle [cond-mat.soft]

Nicolas Puech, Serge Mora, Vincent Testard, Grégoire Porte, Christian Ligoure, et al.. Structure and rheological properties of model microemulsion networks filled with nanoparticles. European Physical Journal E: Soft matter and biological physics, 2008, 26 (1-2), pp.13-24. ⟨10.1140/epje/i2007-10275-3⟩. ⟨hal-00290540⟩