Three‐Dimensional Fluorescent Imaging to Monitor the Dynamic Distribution of Organic Additives in Polymers

Abstract

AbstractOrganic additives were dynamically distributed in the polymer, tailoring the micro‐structure and macro‐performances of organic‐organic composites. However, it remains a challenge to provide a direct and spatial monitoring of organic additives inside polymer matrix. Herein, we introduced the confocal laser scanning microscopy to visualize the three‐dimensional and dynamic distribution of organic additives inside the polymer, taking amino silicone oil (ASO) in polyethylene as a model. The ASO was crosslinked under thermal treatment, exhibiting green fluorescence. Such a fluorescent variation of ASO can be monitored in a three‐dimensional space, and the dynamic distribution of ASO could be visualized and quantified by the fluorescence volume of the cross‐linked ASO. Dynamic studies showed that the reaction rates increased from 1.5×10−5 s−1 at 40 °C to 5.2×10−5 s−1 at 100 °C. The variations of reaction rates for ASO well explained the promoted mechanical properties for the composites. Our findings could provide the detailed understandings for the relation between the distribution of organic additives and macroscopic properties for organic‐organic composites.