Encapsulation of magnetic self-assembled systems in thermoreversible gels

We describe two different ways of encapsulating within the fibrils of thermoreversible polymer gels the filaments of a supermolecular polymer formed by self-assembly of a bicopper complex. Heterogeneous nucleation is brought about with gels made from isotactic poly(styrene) while compound formation occurs with gels made from poly(hexyl isocyanate). These ways depend upon the interaction between the wings of the supermolecular polymer and the side groups of the polymer. In all cases, the filaments retain their 1-D structure. Preliminary results from magnetic susceptibility measurements show a striking difference between the pure and the encapsulated supermolecular polymer.     

Analysis of the viscoelastic behaviour of silica filled rubber: prediction of the interphase properties

The aim of this work is to analyse the influence of both silica content and the presence of a silane coupling agent on the viscoelastic behaviour of silica filled rubber. It is well-known that changes in the dynamic mechanical properties of filled rubber could result from either the mechanical coupling between phases and/or interface effects. Micro mechanical modelling, taking morphological analysis into account, will be used to separate these two effects and allows us to assess the actual properties of the polymer close to the silica surface.