In polymer-based composite materials, the dispersibility of manganese silicate fine powder has a crucial influence on the performance of the composite materials. Good dispersibility can make manganese silicate fine powder evenly distributed in the polymer matrix, giving full play to its role in strengthening and modifying. Surface coating treatment is an effective method to improve the dispersibility of manganese silicate fine powder. Its mechanism of action will be described in detail below.
Manganese silicate fine powder has a high surface energy and is prone to agglomeration. At the same time, its surface properties are quite different from those of the polymer matrix, and the compatibility between the two is poor. In the preparation process of composite materials, these factors will make it difficult for manganese silicate fine powder to be evenly dispersed in the polymer matrix, forming local agglomerates, thereby reducing the mechanical properties and thermal properties of the composite materials.
Surface coating treatment is to introduce one or more coating layers on the surface of manganese silicate fine powder to change its surface properties and improve its compatibility with the polymer matrix. The coating layer can be organic small molecules, polymers, inorganic substances, etc. These coatings can form a protective film on the surface of manganese silicate fine powder, reduce its surface energy, reduce the mutual attraction between particles, and thus inhibit the occurrence of agglomeration.
When organic small molecules or polymers are used as coatings, their molecular chains can be entangled or interact with the molecular chains of the polymer matrix. For example, some organic coating agents containing active groups can react chemically with the functional groups in the polymer matrix to form chemical bonds. This chemical bonding action enhances the binding force between manganese silicate fine powder and the polymer matrix, and also improves the compatibility between the two. In addition, the presence of organic coatings can also increase the lubricity of the surface of manganese silicate fine powder, making it easier to move and disperse in the polymer matrix.
Inorganic coatings such as silica, alumina, etc. can also effectively improve the dispersibility of manganese silicate fine powder. On the one hand, the inorganic coating can be attached to the surface of manganese silicate fine powder by physical adsorption or chemical bonding to form a uniform coating structure and reduce the surface energy of the particles. On the other hand, the inorganic coating layer can act as a bridge between manganese silicate fine powder and the polymer matrix, improving the interfacial bonding strength between the two. For example, the hydroxyl groups on the surface of the silica coating layer can react with certain groups in the polymer matrix, thereby enhancing the interaction between manganese silicate fine powder and the polymer matrix and promoting its dispersion.
The effect of surface coating treatment on the dispersibility of manganese silicate fine powder can be verified through experiments. For example, by observing the microstructure of the composite material using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), it can be found that the manganese silicate fine powder without surface coating treatment has obvious agglomeration in the polymer matrix, while the manganese silicate fine powder with surface coating treatment can be evenly dispersed in the polymer matrix, and the spacing between particles is relatively uniform. In addition, mechanical property tests, thermal property tests, etc. can also indirectly prove that surface coating treatment can improve the dispersibility of manganese silicate fine powder in polymer-based composite materials, because good dispersibility can significantly improve the various properties of the composite material.
Surface coating treatment can effectively improve the dispersibility of manganese silicate fine powder in polymer-based composite materials by changing the surface properties of manganese silicate fine powder, reducing its surface energy and improving its compatibility with the polymer matrix. Both organic and inorganic coatings can achieve this goal through different mechanisms. In practical applications, the selection of appropriate coating materials and coating processes is of great significance for improving the dispersibility of manganese silicate fine powder and the performance of composite materials.
