Novel Polymer Clay‐Based Nanocomposites: Films with Remarkable Optical and Water Vapor Barrier Properties

Abstract

The impact of varying the copolymer composition of styrene–co‐butyl acrylate copolymers on the dispersion of montmorillonite (MMT) clay and the effect thereof on the transparency and water vapor barrier properties of the resultant films is assessed. The hybrid latexes containing MMT clay concentrations of 10–30 wt% are prepared using miniemulsion polymerization. The morphology of the resultant latexes shows that the MMT particles are predominantly adhered onto the surface of the latex particles. However, the transparency of the films suggests a fair dispersion of the MMT platelets in the matrix. The thickness‐normalized light transmittance for copolymers with 40 and 50 mol% styrene only decreases from 70% in the neat films to 50% in the nanocomposite films containing 30 wt% clay. The best optical properties are observed for the copolymers with 30 mol% styrene, in which the light transmittance only decreases from 85% (unfilled film) to 60% in the nanocomposite films containing 30 wt% clay. Overall, the water vapor barrier properties are much higher in the copolymer films with 30 mol% styrene due to the unique morphological organization of MMT platelets in the matrix.

Effect on thermo‐mechanical properties by in‐situ emulsion polymerization of polymer/clay nanocomposites

“…The cast films obtained from 4 g emulsion of several thickness exhibit optical transparencies with no evidence of macroaggregates, as shown in Fig. ; suggesting good clay dispersion in the polymer matrix, similar finding has been reported by H. Naderi‐Samani et al and D. Murima et al .…”

Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) dispersion of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/clay nanocomposites: Structural, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties

“…Upon instantaneous depressurization, a large density change of the scCO 2 initiates between the layers and pushes them apart, resulting in delaminated/exfoliated clay. After the CO 2 is completely removed, a good portion of the clay platelets remains separated thus preventing reformation of the layered structure . Compared with our previous quiescent processing technique, current setup equipped with a mechanical stirring system could generate intensive stirring along with the processing.…”

A Review of the Synthesis and Applications of Polymer–Nanoclay Composites

“…Jafarzadeh et al [163] introduced nanokaolin into semolina protein film, which resulted in a significant enhancement of the film's barrier properties (antioxidant properties) and tensile strength. Murima et al [164] evaluated the significance of nanoclay content on the water vapor barrier behavior and optical properties of PSBA-MMT nanoclay films. The best optical properties were achieved with latex-clay 30:70 films, which decreased the light transmittance by 15%.…”