Nanofilled polymeric matrices have demonstrated remarkable mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. In this article we review the processing of carbon nanotube, graphene, and clay montmorillonite platelet as potential nanofillers to form nanocomposites. The various functionalization techniques of modifying the nanofillers to enable interaction with polymers are summarized. The importance of filler dispersion in the polymeric matrix is highlighted. Finally, the challenges and future outlook for nanofilled polymeric composites are presented.

Chitosan was melt blended with poly-caprolactone (PCL), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(butylene terephthalate adipate) (PBTA), and poly(butylene succinate adipate) (PBSA). For the chitosan/PBS blend, the amount of chitosan was varied from 25% to 70% by weight. The remaining polyesters had 50% of chitosan by weight. Addition of chitosan to PBS or PBSA tends to depress the melting temperature of the polyester. The crystallinity of the polyesters (PCL, PBS, PBSA) containing 50% chitosan decreased. Adding chitosan to the blends decreased the tensile strength but increased the tensile modulus. Chitosan displayed intermediate adhesion to the polyester matrix. Microscopic results indicate that the skin layer is polyester rich, while the core is a blend of chitosan and polyester. Fractured surface of chitosan blended with a high T g polymer, such as PLA, displayed a brittle fracture. Blends of chitosan with PCL, PBTA, or PBSA display fibrous appearances at the fractured surface due to the stretching of the polymer threads. Increasing the amount of chitosan in the blends also reduced the ductility of the fractured surface. The chitosan phase agglomerated into spherical domains or were clustered into sheaths. Pull-out of chitosan particles is evident in tensile-fractured surfaces for blends of chitosan with ductile polymers but absent in the blends with PLA. PBS displays a less lamellar orientation when compared to PCL or PBSA. The orientation of the polyesters (PCL, PBSA) does not seem to be affected by the addition of chitosan. The two main diffraction peaks observed using WAXS are unaffected by the addition of chitosan.

Modified soy-based vegetable oil polyols were successfully incorporated as a replacement for conventional polyols to produce flexible slabstock polyurethane foams. The oil was characterized for its hydroxyl value and fatty acid composition. The modified oils had higher hydroxyl values and lower unsaturated acids than regular unmodified oils. Three different modified polyols were used to investigate the reactivity with isocyanates. The effects on the foaming reaction of two different isocyanates, namely TDI and MDI, were investigated. The reactions were also carried out with a mixture of polyols containing synthetic polyols and vegetable oil-based polyols to delineate the effect of each component. FTIR technique was used to identify the sequence of chemical reactions during the foaming process. The effect of water levels and isocyanate content on the kinetics of the foaming reaction was investigated. Information regarding the formation of hard and soft segments with the varying compositions was obtained. As the water content increased, the amount of the hard segment and urea formation increased in both soy oil polyols and synthetic polyols. Increased synthetic polyols in the mixture increased the rate of reaction and phase mixing due to the availability of primary hydroxyl groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) were used to probe the morphology. As the water content increased, the cell size increased. At lower water content a more uniform cell structure was evident and at higher water levels hard domain size increased.

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