Browsing by Author "Erman, B."

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Aggregation of fillers blended into random elastomeric networks: Theory and comparison with experiments
(2006) Demir M.M.; Menceloglu Y.Z.; Erman, B.
A theoretical model describing aggregation of filler particles in amorphous elastomers is proposed. The model is based on a counting technique originally used in genome analysis to characterize the size and distribution of overlapping segments randomly placed on a DNA molecule. In the present model, the particles are first assumed to aggregate randomly upon mixing into the elastomer and then-sizes are calculated. The sizes and distributions of aggregates are also studied in the presence of attractive interparticle forces. Results of the proposed model are compared with experimental data on silica-filled end-linked poly(dimethyl-siloxane) networks. Comparison of the theory and experiment shows that the random aggregation assumption where no attractive forces exist between the particles is not valid and a significant attraction between the silica particles is needed in the theory to justify the experimental data obtained using atomic force microscopy. For filler content below 1.45 vol.-%, the model agrees, qualitatively, with experiment and shows the increase in cluster size with increasing amount of filler. It also explains the increase in the dispersion of aggregate sizes with increasing amount of filler. © 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.
Dimensions of polystyrene particles deposited on mica from dilute cyclohexane solution at different temperatures
(2002) Demir M.M.; Erman, B.
Using atomic force microscopy, the height, diameter, and volume of polystyrene particles deposited on mica from dilute cyclohexane solution at different temperatures are determined. Dimensions exhibit a strong temperature dependence. The heights of the deposited particles are only a few atomic diameters, the major dimension being parallel to the mica surface. The number of single polystyrene molecules in a deposited particle cannot be determined directly by atomic force microscopy. However, the maximum number of molecules that may be present in a particle may be estimated. Below 35 °C, the particles possibly consist of single collapsed molecules. This number increases with temperature and becomes as large as about 30 molecules per particle at 80 °C. The volume occupied by a single chain in solvent is calculated as a function of temperature and compared with observed volumes of dry particles on mica. A linear relationship is observed between single chain volumes in solvent and corresponding particle volumes on mica. On the average, the volume of a single chain in solution is 10 times the volume of a dry particle at the corresponding temperature. Fluctuations of chain volumes that are dominant in solution are also present in the volumes of particles deposited and dried on mica.
Effect of filler amount on thermoelastic properties of poly(dimethylsiloxane) networks
(Elsevier BV, 2005) Demir M.M.; Menceloglu Y.Z.; Erman, B.
End-linked poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) networks were prepared in the presence of fumed silica particles with hydroxyl groups at their surfaces. The silica particles were introduced into the polymer solution prior to end-linking. Hydroxyl ended PDMS chains were end-linked via the tetra functional crosslinker, tetraethoxysilane. The filler content varied in the range 0-5 wt%. Atomic Force Microscopy was used to image and characterize the silica particles. Swelling, stress-strain and thermoelasticity experiments were performed. The temperature coefficient and the energetic part of the force in uniaxial extension are found to increase with increasing silica amount. This observation is ascribed to effects contributed possibly by the adsorption layer around the silica particles. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Electrospinning of polyurethane fibers
(Elsevier BV, 2002) Demir M.M.; Yilgor I.; Yilgor E.; Erman, B.
A segmented polyurethaneurea based on poly(tetramethylene oxide)glycol, a cycloaliphatic diisocyanate and an unsymmetrical diamine were prepared. Urea content of the copolymer was 35 wt%. Electrospinning behavior of this elastomeric polyurethaneurea copolymer in solution was studied. The effects of electrical field, temperature, conductivity and viscosity of the solution on the electrospinning process and morphology and property of the fibers obtained were investigated. Results of observations made by optical microscope, atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscope were interpreted and compared with literature data available on the electrospinning behavior of other polymeric systems. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.