Abstract
Prior to the preparation of nano-scale composites, porous silica was prepared by the pseudo-phase separation method previously researched by the authors. The structure of the particle consists of two layers. One was the outer shape whose diameter was about 100μm and the inner structure was constructed by very fine particles. The diameter of the inner particles, formed by the agglomeration of the original silica particles, was about 20-30nm. The bonding strength between the inner agglomerated particles was controlled by the sintering temperature. The porous silica was blended with ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and polystyrene in a Microlabo kneader. The diameter of the inner particles dispersed within the organic/inorganic composite was less than 100nm. Although the inner particles pull strongly against each other, the re-agglomeration was probably prevented by the insertion of the viscous polymeric materials between the inner particles. The relation between the force of agglomeration by the surface potential and the dispersion by the shear in the kneader is discussed and the fundamental characteristics are preliminarily studied.
