Swaminathan Sindhu

Mechanics of prestressed polydimethylsiloxane-carbon nanotube composite

The influence of the presence of static stress on the dynamic mechanical properties of polydimethylsiloxane-carbon nanotube composite is evaluated. Significant enhancement in the dynamic stiffness is observed, which can be attributed to the combined effect of nanotube nucleated strain induced crystallization, modulation in the waviness of the nanotube entanglements, and the enhanced interfacial adhesion due to the prevailing hydrostatic pressure. The study provides a platform for understanding the behavior of carbon nanotube composites in the stressed state and thereby to consider the prestressing process as an ideal option for enhancing the mechanical properties.

Design of Novel Nanocomposites through Interfacial Engineering

Two classes of nanocomposites involving polymers and magnetic particles or silica were synthesized and characterized. Effect of polymer on the morphology of the composites and the matrix filler interactions were studied in detail. Different analytical tools were used to characterize these composites and show a core-shell structure for the novel nanocomposites reported in this paper. TEM studies on these composites gave particle size distribution in nanometer range. The morphology and size of the particle changed significantly with the polymer used.