Effect of Nano Fillers on Polyphosphazene Elastomer under the influence of Temperature and Radiation: A Comparative Study

A selected thermoplastic polyphosphazene elastomer containing two substituents: trifluoroethoxy group and allylphenoxy group had been both heat and radiation treated in presence of nano-silica and nano sized titanium dioxide (TiO₂). Characterization of the heat treated materials were performed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis, and Thermogravimetric Analysis, to obtain information about the possible interactions and dispersion of nano sized fillers on the thermoplastic polyphosphazene matrix. The results were then compared with those obtained from the characterizations of radiation influenced samples. A weak interaction between the nanofillers and the thermoplastic elastomeric matrix was observed by the FTIR analysis of the samples. FESEM analysis indicated the dispersion morphology of the nano-fillers in the polyphosphazene matrix. Radiation treated samples showed superior storage moduli compared to the storage moduli of the heat treated counterparts. Filled polyphosphazene nanocomposites showed increased thermal stability compared to the virgin elastomer.