Twenty Years of Polymer‐Clay Nanocomposites

Abstract

More than twenty years have passed since we invented PCN, in which only a few wt.-% of silicate is randomly and homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix. When molded, these nanocomposites show superior properties compared to those of pristine polymers. The number of papers on PCN has increased rapidly in recent years, reaching over 500 in 2005 alone. Being pioneers of this new technology, we review its history relative to the following epochal events: In 1985 we invented nylon 6-clay hybrid (NCH), the first PCN. In 1989, cars equipped with a NCH part were launched.In 1997, Gilman found revolutionary fire retardancy in NCH. In 1997, a PP-clay nanocomposite was prepared using a compatibilizer. In 1998, a compounding method for producing PCN was completed. In 2002, Haraguchi invented a revolutionary nanocomposite hydrogel. So far, only nylon-clay nanocomposites have been used in practice, but other PCN will become increasingly useful in the future.SEM of etched NCH film.

Polymer nanocomposites using zinc aluminum and magnesium aluminum oleate layered double hydroxides: Effects of LDH divalent metals on dispersion, thermal, mechanical and fire performance in various polymers

“…The latter process involves annealing a mixture of polymer and layered silicate powder above the glass transition temperature or melting point of the polymer [3] resulting in composite morphologies that are comparable with solvent-assisted dispersions [4]. Since then, studies on numerous polymer/clay composite systems [5], 5a, 5b, 5c, [6], 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, [7], 7a and 7b have traced the high thermomechanical reinforcements, such as large enhancements in heat deflection temperature, tensile modulus and elongation at break, to the nanoscale filler dispersion [5] and the strength of the filler/polymer interfaces [6]. These nanocomposite studies primarily focused on cationic layered silicates, while the anionic layered double hydroxides (LDH) have been much less studied [8], 8a and 8b.…”

Clay nanocomposites based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene): Structure and properties

“…The nanoscopic origin of the macroscopic properties in polymer clay nanocomposites has been the subject of intense investigations which have been summarized in a number of reviews [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9].…”

Polymer nanocomposites

“…The synthetic issues, 4,5 colloidal particle physics and processing 10,11 as applied to PNCs, while quite mature, have many outstanding issues and these have been recently articulated in substantial detail. 1,3,6,10,[12][13][14] This article will concentrate on the polymer physics aspects of this complex subject.…”