Chain Degradation during Dissolution of Polymer-Fullerene Nanocomposites as a Result of Interaction of Entangled Polymer Matrix with the Filler

Chain degradation of poly(α-methylstyrene) and polystyrene during dissolution of their nanocomposites with fullerene C60 in solvents of different quality with respect to fullerene was studied in detail by size exclusion chromatography and UV spectroscopy. Chain ruptures have been shown to arise during swelling of composites but only for samples with entangled polymer matrix. The data obtained confirm that the hindered mobility of chains because of interaction of the entangled matrix with fullerene is the only cause of degradation. Chain rupture leads to radical depolymerization accompanied by covalent binding of fullerene with the chain fragments, which results in changing of the polymer matrix structure. Chain degradation indicates deterioration of the mechanical properties of the polymers in the presence of C60. The possibility of chain degradation in polymer-filler nanocomposites under deformation with the simultaneous observation of an apparent reinforcement effect because of the addition of filler in the polymer matrix is discussed.