Dispersion-driven interphase engineering and quantitative stress transfer in chemically inert PTFE/MWCNT nanocomposites

), corresponding to an estimated interfacial strain of ∼0.22%, providing evidence of measurable stress transfer primarily arising from physical confinement. X-ray diffraction coupled with FWHM and Scherrer analysis demonstrates crystallite enlargement at intermediate loadings, while DSC-based crystallinity calculations identify a maximum relative crystallinity at 10 : 2 composition. At higher nanotube loading, partial re-agglomeration and confinement-dominated restriction reduce crystalline ordering despite elevated melting temperature (328-334 °C). These results suggest that dispersion plays a significant role as a thermodynamic regulator of interphase evolution in fluoropolymer nanocomposites. This work provides insight into the underlying mechanisms of stress transfer and crystallization behavior in chemically inert CNT/polymer systems and establishes a rational strategy for interphase engineering without chemical modification.