Eur. Phys. J. E (2008) 26: 13-24
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2007-10275-3

ISMC-2007

Structure and rheological properties of model microemulsion networks filled with nanoparticles

¹ Laboratoire des Colloıdes, Verres, et Nanomatériaux (LCVN), Université Montpellier II, UMR CNRS 5587, 34095, Montpellier, France
² Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), 6, rue Jules Horowitz, BP 156, 38042, Grenoble, France
³ Laboratoire Léon Brillouin (LLB), CEA Saclay, UMR 12, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France

^* e-mail: oberdisse@lcvn.univ-montp2.fr

Received: 20 September 2007
Accepted: 23 January 2008
Published online: 17 April 2008

Abstract

Model microemulsion networks of oil droplets stabilized by non-ionic surfactant and telechelic polymer C₁₈ -PEO(10k)- C₁₈ have been studied for two droplet-to-polymer size ratios. The rheological properties of the networks have been measured as a function of network connectivity and can be described in terms of simple percolation laws. The network structure has been characterised by Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS). A Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) approach is used to demonstrate the interplay of attraction and repulsion induced by the copolymer. These model networks are then used as matrix for the incorporation of silica nanoparticles (R = 10 nm), individual dispersion being checked by scattering. A strong impact on the rheological properties is found for silica volume fractions up to 9%.