Quantifying Nanoparticle Dispersion using Rheological Techniques in Epoxy Resin

In nanodielectric technology the ability to uniformly disperse nanoparticles in the host matrix is critical to the quality of the nanodielectric. Due to the nanometre size of the filler particles, their tendency to agglomerate or flocculate is high. Currently many flaws in nanodielectrics have been attributed to the presence of agglomerations. The current state of the art techniques used in determining the uniformity of nanoparticle dispersion is largely based on the use of electron microscopy, such as Transmission Electron Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. A limitation with these imaging techniques is that the assessment is largely qualitative rather than quantitative. Additionally these techniques rely on the ability to manufacture a nanodielectric before the degree of…