Analysis of structures of rubber-filler systems with combined scattering methods

• Published in: Polymer journal Vol. 45; no. 1; pp. 10 - 19
• Main Author: Takenaka, Mikihito
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.01.2013; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 639/301/357/537; 639/638/455/958; Applied sciences; Biomaterials; Bioorganic Chemistry; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Exact sciences and technology; Micrometers; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymer Sciences; Properties and characterization; review; Scattering; Scattering functions; Structure, morphology and analysis; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; rubber-filler systems; hierarchical structure; combined scattering methods; Neutron scattering; Investigation method; Coupled method; Filled polymers; Elastomer; X ray scattering; Nanostructure; Review; Small angle X ray scattering
• ISSN: 0032-3896; 1349-0540
• DOI: 10.1038/pj.2012.187

This review presents an analysis of the hierarchical structures formed in rubber-filler systems by using combined scattering methods. The combined scattering methods utilize various scattering methods and are powerful tools for the quantitative characterization of hierarchical structures over a wide range of length scales, ranging from nanometers to micrometers. Scattering theories for the analysis of the experimental scattering functions and their applications are described. Rubber-filler systems have been widely used in industry. Fillers are not dispersed homogeneously and often form hierarchical structures in rubber matrices over a wide range of length scale from nanometer to micron meters, such as primary particles, aggregates and agglomerates. The combined scattering methods are powerful tools to characterize the structures quantitatively.