Aerosol and Solution Modification of Particle-Polymer Interfaces

Abstract

In recent years several investigators have focused on the synthesis of uniformly and continuously coated particles to impart improved chemical stability, mechanical strength, morphology and/or dispersibility to powders required for preparing next-generation composities. This paper reviews two in situ reaction methods employed at Clarkson University to selectively coat individual particles having widely different shape, size and chemical composition. The aerosol procedure allows core particles to become coated using room temperature liquid-gas reactions. Alternatively, coating particles dispersed in a solvent containing reactive precursors is more applicable to industrial processing. Uniform, well-adhering coatings of polyurea on titania powder, of polydivinylbenzene on silica beads, and of carbon and boron nitride on silicon carbide whiskers were made by selecting the correct precursors and reaction chemistries. Qualitative assessment of adhesion between the coatings and cores is given.