The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Physically confining polymers within nanoscale pores induces significant changes in their properties and dynamics. In this study, we investigate the degradation behavior of polystyrene (PS) confined in the interstices of SiO₂ nanoparticle (NP) films. These nanocomposite films are prepared via capillary rise infiltration (CaRI) of PS into the interstitial spaces of SiO₂ NP packings. We demonstrate that the degradation behavior of PS under nanoconfinement differs markedly from that of neat PS films. In particular, the degradation rate exhibits opposite trends for photooxidative and thermal degradation under nanoconfinement. These findings provide important insights into the design and reliability of polymer nanocomposites in practical settings.