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Preparation of intercalating agent‐free epoxy/clay nanocomposites
Author(s) -
Sun Luyi,
Boo Woong J.,
Liu Jia,
Tien ChiWei,
Sue HungJue,
Marks Maurice J.,
Pham Ha
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.20864
Subject(s) - epoxy , materials science , montmorillonite , exfoliation joint , nanocomposite , composite material , intercalation (chemistry) , toughness , polymer , flexural modulus , glass transition , fracture toughness , flexural strength , dispersion (optics) , graphene , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , chemistry , optics , physics
Abstract A simple intercalating agent‐free approach to prepare epoxy/montmorillonite (MMT) clay nanocomposite is reported. Through this new approach, no organic modifiers are needed. Thus, the cost for preparing polymer nanocomposites can be significantly reduced. The extent of dispersion and exfoliation of clay in epoxy was characterized by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy observations. It is found that the MMT clay is well‐dispersed in epoxy matrix. The clay platelets in epoxy show a stacked structure with dimensions of about 1–2 μm in length and about 20 nm in thickness. At 4.5 wt% of clay loading level, the flexural modulus of the epoxy nanocomposite is increased by about 35%. No reduction in fracture toughness or glass‐transition temperature is observed. The implication of the present finding for commercialization of polymer nanocomposites is discussed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1708–1714, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers