Nanoparticle dispersion in polymer nanocomposites by spin-diffusion-averaged paramagnetic enhanced NMR relaxometry†
Abstract
We developed an analytical relationship between nuclear magnetic relaxation and interparticle spacings in polymer nanocomposites filled with paramagnetic-impurity-containing clay nanoparticles. Using 1H NMR relaxometry, clay nanoparticle dispersion was quantified and agrees with interparticle spacing distributions determined from statistical analysis of TEM images. Some information on the overall quality of clay dispersion is revealed. This work offers a new approach and new insights into nanoparticle dispersion in polymer nanocomposites.