Abstract
A novel approach, via the use of a blowing agent (BA), to enhance clay exfoliation in polymer nanocomposites is reported. A commercial organoclay was treated with a common low-cost BA, which was then melt-processed with polymers in an extruder. The characterization results revealed that the degrees of exfoliation of the clay were increased when using BA. Consequently, the resultant nanocomposites exhibited improvements in thermal degradation temperature as compared to their corresponding polymers and nanocomposites without the involvement of BA. They also presented simultaneous improvements in stiffness, strength, ductility and toughness. These property enhancements were mainly attributed to the presence of BA in clay interlayers which degraded during melt compounding, generated gases and pushed clay layers apart, facilitating clay exfoliation under the shear forces. This work demonstrates the potential of using a BA to produce high-performance polymer/clay nanocomposites by melt processing.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2008-2016 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Polymer International |
Volume | 63 |
Issue number | 12 |
Early online date | 30 May 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2014 |
Keywords
- Clay treatment
- Exfoliation
- Mechanical properties
- Morphology
- Nanocomposites
- Thermal properties
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Polymers and Plastics