Gas transport in TiO2 nanoparticle-filled poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne)

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were dispersed via solution processing in poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) (PTMSP) to form nanocomposite films. Nanoparticle dispersion was investigated using atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. At low-particle loadings, nanoparticles were dispersed individually and in nanoscale aggregates. At high-particle loadings, some nanoparticles formed micron-sized aggregates. The gas transport and density exhibited a strong dependence on nanoparticle loading. At low-TiO₂ loadings, the composite density was similar to or slightly higher than that predicted by a two-phase additive model. However, at particle loadings exceeding approximately 7 nominal vol.%, the density was markedly lower than predicted, suggesting that the particles induced the creation of void space within the nanocomposite. For example, when the TiO₂ nominal volume fraction was 0.35, the polymer/particle composite density was 40% lower than expected based on a two-phase additive model for density. At low-nanoparticle loading, light gas permeability was lower than that of the unfilled polymer. At higher nanoparticle loadings, light gas permeability (i.e., CO₂, N₂, and CH₄) increased to more than four times higher than in unfilled PTMSP. At most, selectivity changed only slightly with particle loading.