Dynamic mechanical properties and damping behavior of multilayer core–shell structures containing modified montmorillonite: a physical analysis of inter-molecular interactions

Abstract

A nanocomposite was synthesized in-situ using dimethyl dialkylamine-modified montmorillonite and a multicomponent polymer. The behavior of nanoparticles within the hard and semi-hard segments of the polymer was systematically analyzed. Topographical and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies were conducted to examine the distribution and dispersion of the nanoparticles. To characterize the microstructural changes and interfacial properties of the nanocomposite, thermomechanical analyses were performed, including TOPEM DSC and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Key DMA parameters—damping factor (tan δ), storage modulus, and loss modulus—were evaluated to provide a detailed understanding of the interfacial interactions within the nanostructures. The results demonstrated that the modification of montmorillonite nanoparticles, the strategic placement of fillers within the polymer matrix, and the nanoparticle mass fraction significantly influenced interphase behavior. Consequently, the Tan δ-Area (TA) parameter reached a value of approximately 52.36, while the Loss-Area (LA) parameter was measured at about \(7.5\times {10}^{9}\).These findings highlight the critical role of nanoparticle modification and distribution in tailoring the interfacial properties of the nanocomposite.