Tuning the modulus of nanostructured ionomer films of core-shell nanoparticles based on poly(n-butyl acrylate).

In this study we investigate the structure-mechanical property relationships for nanostructured ionomer films containing ionically crosslinked core-shell polymer nanoparticles based on poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PBA). Whilst nanostructured ionomer films of core-shell nanoparticles have been previously shown to have good ductility [Soft Matter, 2014, 10, 4725], the modulus values were modest. Here, we used BA as the primary monomer to construct core-shell nanoparticles that provided films containing nanostructured polymers with much higher glass transition temperature (T) values. The core-shell nanoparticles were synthesised using BA, acrylonitrile (AN), methacrylic acid (MAA) and 1,4-butanediol diacrylate (BDDA). Nanostructured ionomer films were prepared by casting aqueous core-shell nanoparticle dispersions in which the shell -COOH groups were neutralised with KOH and ZnO. The film mechanical properties were studied using dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile stress-strain measurements. The use of BA-based nanoparticles increased the T values to close to room temperature which caused a strong dependence of the film mechanical properties on the AN content and extent of neutralisation of the -COOH groups. The Young's modulus values for the films ranged from 1.0 to 86.0 MPa. The latter is the highest modulus reported for cast films of nanostructured ionomer films prepared from core-shell nanoparticles. The films had good ductility with strain-at-break values of at least 200%. The mechanical properties of the films were successfully modelled using the isostrain model. From comparison with an earlier butadiene-based system this study demonstrates that the nature of the primary monomer used to construct the nanoparticles can profoundly change the film mechanical properties. The aqueous nanoparticle dispersion approach used here provides a simple and versatile method to prepare high modulus elastomer films with tuneable mechanical properties.