Fundamentals Of Polymer Clay Nanocomposites

Written for graduate students, researchers, and practitioners, this book provides a complete introduction to the science, engineering, and commercial applications of polymer-clay nanocomposites. Starting with a discussion of general concepts, the authors define specific terms used in the field, providing newcomers with a strong foundation to the area. The physical and mechanical properties of polymer-clay nanocomposites are then described, with chapters on thermodynamics and kinetics, engineering properties, barrier properties, and flame retardancy. Mechanisms underpinning observed effects, such as UV resistance, solvent resistance, and hardness, are also explained. In-depth discussions of clay and clay surface treatment, fabrication, and characterization of nanocomposites are provided, and particular emphasis is placed on the proper use and interpretation of analytical techniques, helping readers to avoid artifacts in their own work. With commercial applications discussed throughout, and experimental results connected with theory, this is an ideal reference for those working in polymer science.

Written for graduate students, researchers, and practitioners, this book provides a complete introduction to the science, engineering, and commercial applications of polymer-clay nanocomposites. Starting with a discussion of general concepts, the authors define specific terms used in the field, providing newcomers with a strong foundation to the area. The physical and mechanical properties of polymer-clay nanocomposites are then described, with chapters on thermodynamics and kinetics, engineering properties, barrier properties, and flame retardancy. Mechanisms underpinning observed effects, such as UV resistance, solvent resistance, and hardness, are also explained. In-depth discussions of clay and clay surface treatment, fabrication, and characterization of nanocomposites are provided, and particular emphasis is placed on the proper use and interpretation of analytical techniques, helping readers to avoid artifacts in their own work. With commercial applications discussed throughout, and experimental results connected with theory, this is an ideal reference for those working in polymer science.

This book focuses on polymer–clay nanocomposite materials. It introduces readers to polymers, clays, and organo-clay and discusses the nature of interparticle interactions and physical adsorption, which are predominant in the synthesis of organo-clay; conversion of clay to organo-clay; interactions between functional groups in the interlayer region of clay and modifier ions; synthesis of organo-clays and their uses; and the commercial utilization of organo-clays. The text then covers the preparation of polymer–clay nanocomposites and their characterization, properties, performance, and applications. The primary goal of this book is to aid readers who wish to engage in the research and development of polymer–clay nanocomposites and to offer them an overview of the commonly used polymer–clay nanocomposites and their origins, manufacture, properties, and potential applications. This book will serve as a general introduction to researchers just entering the field and as a useful reference for scholars from other subfields.

Clay-Containing Polymer Nanocomposites covers everything from fundamental understanding to real applications of clay-containing polymer nanocomposites, including environmental considerations. The book's coverage of fundamentals and generalities, in addition to in-depth coverage of polymer layered silicate nanocomposites, make it a valuable companion for beginners in the field as well as more seasoned researchers. This book provides a rare coherent approach to this class of materials. This title is ideal for polymer and material scientists, researchers, and engineers, including under- and post-graduate students who are interested in this exciting field of research. This book will also help industrial researchers and R&D managers who want to bring advanced polymeric material based products into the market. Details crystallization behavior and kinetics to aid in applications such as injection molding Covers melt-state rheological properties, aiding understanding of the processability of materials Presents applications and market potential, supporting R&D managers who want to bring advanced polymeric material-based products into the market.

There is a major lack of fundamental knowledge and understanding on the interaction between a filler and the polymer matrix. When it comes to nanoscale fillers, such as layered silicates, carbon nanotubes, graphene or cellulose nanofibers it is even more important to know accurate structure-property relationships as well as identifying the parameters influencing material behavior. The reason for the lack of knowledge on how to process nanocomposites and why there are so few applications is that several scientific fields are affected and a joint effort of those scientific communities involved is necessary – starting from the filler manufacturing or pre-processing over polymer chemistry to the polymer processing. In Polymer Nanoclay Composites, all involved scientific areas are viewed together for the first time, providing an all-embracing coverage of all stages of polymer clay nanocomposites processing from lab-scale to industrial scale – stages from the raw material over manufacturing of polymer clay nanocomposites to characterization and the final products. Readers will gain insight in the physical/chemical pre-processing of layered silicates and their incorporation into a polymer matrix using sophisticated technologies (such as advanced compounding) as well as in real-time quality control of the nanocomposite production and future prospects. The book also describes nanotoxicological and nanosafety aspects. Covers the whole processing route with all aspects of the nanocomposites industry with particular focus on the processing of polymer clay nanocomposites Includes quality control and nanosafety Multidisciplinary approach from an industrial perspective

Polymer nanocomposites are organic-inorganic hybrids where the high aspect ratio inorganic filler can be delaminated in the organic matrix at the nanometer scale, thus leading to significant enhancement of composite properties at very low filler volume fractions. With the advancement of polymer nanocomposites technology, significant enhancements in mechanical and thermal properties of the composites could be achieved. However, other important properties like gas barrier properties, which form an absolutely necessary requirement for the use of materials in packaging and storage applications, were relatively neglected. By improving the barrier performance of the materials by incorporation of high aspect ratio nano platelets, one can expect to reduce the thickness of the commercial packaging laminates and other materials where thick material is required to be used to provide barrier to various gases. This can thus lead to significant amount of savings in the material costs and can make the polymer materials more light and also transparent as the nano scale dispersed filler would not scatter light. This book examines the factors affecting barrier properties enhancement in polar polymer matrices, which are different from case when non polar polymers are involved, thus indicating that the performance has to be quantised by case-by-case basis. The commonly used conventional models for prediction of permeation reduction are also less representative of the true microstructure of the nanocomposites. Thus the barrier performance of the polymer nanocomposite materials is also explored, separate from the more bulk based mechanical properties.