Polymer (nano)composites

: key-role of chemistry
H Thc Huy
Khoa Ha - HKHTN

Outline
I.

II.

Polymer microcomposites filled with microparticles

I.1.

Mechanical melt blends

I.2.

Importance of polymer/filler interface (tension and adhesion)

I.3.

"Polymerization-filled composites" PFC's

Polymer nanocomposites filled with nanoparticles

II.1. Layered silicate as nanofillers
-

Polymer-clay nanocomposites : melt blending vs. in situ

polymerization

Polyolefinic matrices : role of matrices and compatibility

Polyester matrices : role of clays and organo-modification

II.2. Carbon nanotubes as nanofillers

-

Polymer-CNTs composites : production and properties

Melt blending technique, e.g., in elastomeric matrices

III.

in situ polymerization, e.g., in thermoplastic matrices

General conclusions et outlook

Chapter 1 :
Polymer microcomposites
filled with microparticles

Typical example : polyethylene filled with reinforcing

inorganic particles
Hydrophobic
polyethylene

Hydrophilic-surface
Particulate fillers

Uniaxial
constraint

Fillers aggregation =>

mechanical brittleness

Generation of voids => propagation

of the rupture

Uniaxial
constraint

Generation of voids => propagation

of the rupture

(From Prof. G. Marosi)

Effect of particulate fillers on mechanical properties

Materials

Stiffness

(GPa)

Brittleness
(fast
deformation)
Impact
strength
(IZOD test)
(J/m)

Brittleness
(slow
deformation)
Elongation at
break
(tensile test)
(%)

0.7

80

900.0

HDPE + 40wt% kaolin

3.1

17

1.6

HDPE + 40wt% mica

6.5

20

0.3

HDPE + 40wt% CaSO4

2.8

15

1.3

HDPE + 40wt% CaCO3

2.7

21

3.0

Youngs
modulus

*
HDPE

BRITTLENESS
* High density polyethylene (Mw ~

non-homogeneous mineral dispersion

poor mineral-polymer interaction

NB : mechanical properties for a semi-crystalline thermoplastic like HDPE

measured by tensile testing (in between Tg and Tm)

Stress (MPa) : Strength experienced by

the materials per initial section
(constraint)

Stress
at break

Limit
of elastic
behavior

Rigidity

Stress
at yield

Young modulus
initial slope

Elongation
at yield point

Elongation Elongation (%)

at break

: Length elongation compared to

initial length of the deformed zone

Solutions ?
1) Decrease the hydrophilicity of the filler surface
Chemical treatment of the filler surface
(alkoxysilane, alkylamine, Al carboxylates,)

Improvement of the
dispersion

Poor adhesion

Less brittle composite materials

2) (Polymer) grafting reaction onto filler surface

via chemical treatment of filler surface with coupling agents
(vinylic or methacrylic alkoxysilanes, aluminum methacrylates,)
followed by polymer grafting all along melt blending/processing

Improved dispersion

Reinforced adhesion =>

Mechanical rupture within the
matrix !

Rigidity and resistance to break significantly improved

Filler - Polymer Dispersion / Interaction

Surface modification of the

filler
Surface agents (monofunctional) :
Coupling agents* (difunctional/radical
-silanes;
grafting):
-alkylamines;
-vinyl silanes;
-Al carboxylates;
-aluminum methacrylates;
-titanate esters; ... ...
Better filler dispersion with at best some improvement of adhesion*

Filler pre-encapsulation
Surface coating by a crosslinked resin layer (Ceraplast
technology)
(as diffuse ca.12nm interface of intermediate elastic
modulus)
-coupling agent (-unsaturated amines)
-difunctional monomers (dienes, dimethacrylates)
Combination
of stiffness/toughness
- costly
-thermally activated
initiators (peroxydes)

Polymerization from the filler

surface
POLYMERIZATION-FILLED COMPOSITES : PFCs

Polymerization-Filling Technique

ENIKOLOPIAN N.S., USSR Pat. 763,379 (1976)

HOWARD E.G., US Pat. 4,104,243 and 4,097,447 (1978)

fixation of a Ziegler-Natta type catalyst

onto the filler
olefin polymerization from the filler
surface/pores

Filled-Polyolefin

Filler
Z.-N. Catalyst

Olefin
(i.e., ethylene)

PFT on a wide range of fillers :

acidic surface (kaolin, silica, glass
beads,)
basic surface (magnesium
hydroxide,...)
organic fillers (graphite, carbon
black,...)
metallic fillers (nickel, zinc,)

Polymerization-Filling Technique

Mainly developed for Ziegler-Natta catalysts (transition metal comple

Transition metal (M)
Physical
adsorption

Chemical
grafting

Sublimation,
Impregnation or
Deposition

Support-OH + MRn
Support-OMRn-1 + RH

Solid (M) phase on the

filler surface

Catalyst typesTi: : TiCl4/AlR3; Ti(BH4)3; Ti(OR)4/AlR2Cl

Zr : Zr(CH2-C6H5)4; Zr(BH4)4
V : VCl4/AlR3 ; (VCl3 + VO(OEt)3)/AlEt2Cl
Cr : CrRCl4; Cr(O2CR)3
Hf : Hf(CH2-C6H5)4; Hf(BH4)4

Metallocenes : Single Site Catalysts in Olefin Polymerization

General structure activation by methylaluminoxane MAO
CH3

CH3
M

X
X

Al O

CH3

Al O
X

MAO for : - methylation

- cationization
- protic scavenger action

M = Ti, Zr, Hf
X = Cl, CH3, ...

-High catalyst activity

-Molecular weight control

(sensitivity to hydrogen)

-Copolymerization with -olefins

(thermoplastic to elastomer)

mol% comonomer

Properties
Ziegler-Natta
metallocene

molecular masses

PFT via Metallocene Catalysts

Composite

filler
MAO

Deagglomerati
on
of the filler
Fixation
possible on
basic, acidic,
organic,
metallic
surfaces
Protection of
active catalyst

Metallocene

Monomer

Immobilization of
the active species
through
electrostatic
interactions

Homogeneous
dispersion of the filler

CH3

(-)

Al O
X

(+)

Mt
n

PFT with metallocene/MAO complexes : experimental procedure

Filler treatment :
MAO fixation
* filler dispersion in heptane followed by contact with (TMA-depleted) MAO
* solvent evaporation and thermal treatment (150C)

(Tert-butylamido)dimethyL
(tetramethyl-5-cyclopentadienyl)
silane titanium dimethyl (CGC1)

* (unreacted MAO washed out with toluene)

Metallocene activation
Si

Ti

* treated filler suspended in heptane and contacted with the catalystN:

* transfer in the polymerization reactor and addition of ethylene (10 bars)
and hydrogen when needed
* composite isolated by precipitation from acetone.

CH3
CH3

Polymerization from the filler surface

Advantages towards melt blending :
uniform distribution of the filler throughout the matrix
optimum polymer adsorption and wetting
only process for the preparation of UHMWPE-based
composites

1m

uncovered glass
beads

1m

1m

glass beads covered with 14.6 wt% PE

glass beads covered with 59.4 wt% PE

Combination of HIGH STIFFNESS and HIGH IMPACT RESISTANCE

(even at high filler content, > 60 wt%)

Characteristic features of PFT via metallocene catalysis

Polymer growth from the filler surface and open pores :

1m

1m

Glass beads coated by 7wt% of an ethylene-octene copolymer

Highly porous silica (160m/g) with 38wt% of HDP

Filler and
composite type
silica
silica

melt blend
PFC

Content Impact
of filler energy
(wt%) (kJ/m2)
20
53.4
22.4
576.4

Silica specific area = 90m/g

(Dubois, Jrme et al., Chem. Mater., 13, 236 (2001))

Improvement
of
impact
properties

Characteristic features of PFT via metallocene catalysis

Strong filler-polymer adhesion :

10m

Weak interfacial adhesion

PFC(22wt% glass
beads)

Melt blend (20wt% glass beads)

Strong interfacial adhesion

PFT via metallocene catalysis : some applications

Filler precoating : Dispersion of coated glass beads in HDPE

Precoating of glass beads by
either polyethylene (HDPE) or ethylene/1-octene copolymer (LLDPE)
and composites filled with 20 wt% glass beads
Composite

E (Gpa)

r (%)

r (MPa)

I.E. (kJ/m2)

HDPE
Matrix
1a)

Filler coating
(wt %)
-

1.7

636

24.7

12.0

1a)

HDPE (14.5)

1.3

659

28.5

150.5

10b)

1.4

4.2

26.4

14.5

10b)

LLDPE (7.0)

1.5

6.9

28.9

41.0

a) Melt flow index under 2.16 kg load MI2 = 1g/10min.; b) MI2 = 10g/10min.

AFM Phase detection

bare glass beads/HDPE

composite

coated glass beads/HDPE

composite

Conclusions

PFC via metallocene-based

catalysts
Homogeneous polyolefinic-based composites

Versatility of
microsized fillers : - acidic (kaolin, silica, ...)
- basic (magnesium hydroxide,...)
- organic (graphite, cellulose,)
- metallic (nickel, iron,)
metallocene-based catalysts : Ti,Zr,(Hf),...
Allows for
control over the molecular parameters
- Mn (hydrogen as transfer agent)
- composition (-olefin copolymerization)
high catalytic efficiency
performant mechanical properties : stiffness and toughness (even
at high filling)
- filler deagglomeration
- homogeneous filler dispersion (encapsulation)
- enhanced interfacial adhesion

Chapter 2 :
Polymer nanocomposites filled
with nanoparticles

Polymer nanocomposites filled with

Chapter 2 : nanoparticles
Part I. Layered silicates as
nanofillers

Layered Silicate Nanocomposites : Brief History

1950

First US Patent by Carter L.W. et al. (US 2,531,396)

(assigned to National Lead Co.)

1976

Polyamide nanocomposites by S. Fujiwara S. et al. (Ja Appl. 109,998)

(assigned to Unitika K.K.)

1993

Polyamide-6 organophilic clay nanocomposites by Okada A. et al. (Toyota Research)

(Mater. Res. Soc. Proc., 171, 45, 1993)
Claim : dramatic improvement of mechanical, barrier and thermal properties
(at low clay content)
International academic and industrial research KICK OFF!!!

Currently : huge interest for layered silicate nanocomposites based on

thermoplastics, elastomers and thermosets

Polymer Layered Silicate Nanocomposites : Bibliographic Statistics

Scientific
articles, reviews
and
communications

From CAS and Medline Databases via Scifinder Scholar 2004

Polymer Layered Silicate Nanocomposites : the most cited matrices

PP (13%)
PA-6 (12%)
PS (10%)
PMMA (5%)
PE (4%)
PEO (4%)
EVA (3%)
PCL (3%)
PET (2%)
PVC (2%)
Other polymers (42%)

NB : 1061 hits concern montmorillonite

(~65%) !

Layered Silicate Nanocomposites : Bibliographic Statistics

International patents
1

PP
22%
2 PA-6
3 PE
4 PS
5 PET
6 PA-6,6
7 EPR
8 PA-12
9 EVA
10 SBR

19
18
17
15
9
7
7
7
6

NB : ~68% concern
montmorillonite!
From CAS Database via Scifinder Scholar
2004 research tool

Nanocomposites : Definition and Generalities

Nanocomposite : heterophasic system where the dispersed phase
(of a different nature than the continuous phase)
has at least one of its dimensions in the order of a few nanometers
Continuous phase : metal, ceramic, polymer,
Dispersed phase :
3 nanodimensions : nanosized "isotropic" particles
- metallic : Au, Pt, Ag,
Nanopatterning, electromagnetic
shielding,
- inorganic : CdS, SiO2, ferrites,
conductive materials,
- organic : carbon black,
2 nanodimensions : nanotubes and nanowhiskers
- inorganic : palygorskite, sepiolite,
- organic : carbon nanotubes, cellulose and chitin nanowhiskers
1 nanodimension : nanolayers
- organic : exfoliated graphite, poly(muconic)acid crystals,
- inorganic : layered double hydroxides, layered silicates or clays,

Classification :

Nanocomposite
particulaire
(SiO2, Aluminium,
Oxyde de mtaux
)

Nanocomposite
lamellaire
(argile et graphite)

3me

1er

2me
. Nanocomposite fibreux
(nano fibre ou nano tube de
carbone)
Erik T.Thostenson et al.; Composite Sci. Technol. 65(2005)491-516.

Polymer Layered Silicate Nanocomposites

molecular distribution of (alumino)silicate layers
TEM :
into a (polymer) matrix

Montmorillonite

usually obtained starting from smectite clays

(montmorillonite, saponite, hectorite,)

2:1 phyllosilicates

1 micron

From Giannelis et al.,

Adv. Polym. Sci. 118 (1999)

Building the Phyllosilicates

: O2-

Aluminum-Oxygen
Octahedron

: Al3+

: Si4+

: OH-

Octahedral
Layer

1:1 Clay Minerals

Silicon-Oxygen
Tetrahedron

Tetrahedral Layer

Kaolinite
[Al2Si2O5(OH)4]

Kaolinite [Al2Si2O5(OH)4]

Pyrophyllite [Al2Si4O10(OH)2]
(ideal)

1:1 Clay Mineral

2:1 Clay
Mineral

Tetrahedral Layer
Octahedral Layer

D = 9.4

D = 7.4

Muscovite
[KAl2Si3AlO10(OH)2
]

Montmorillonite
[NaxAl2-xMgxSi4O10(OH)2 . n H2O]

Substitution of
Al3+ for Si4+

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

K+

D = 10

K+

H2O Na+H2O H O Na+ H2O Na+

2

Substitution
of Mg2+ for
Al3+
D ~ 11.7

Crystal Systems

MMT

Montmorillonite : Origin and Resources

Tuffs / Volcanic ash
Weathering
Bentonite (numerous world-wide localities)
Purification (- crystobalite,

zeolite,
biotite,

Montmorillonite*
felspar, zircon,)
Microstructure

~1 nm
100 800 nm
Lamella
(1 nm)
aggregate
* Nax(Al4-xMgx)Si8O20(OH)4

quartz,

cations (Na+, K+,)

primary particle
(8-10 nm)

(0.1-10m)

Montmorillonite : main characteristic features

Surface area

~ 750 m/g

Density

~ 2.6

Aspect ratio

~ 100-500

~ 200-600

~ 40-60

CEC 1)

~ 70 120 meq./100g

70-90 meq./100g

50-90 meq./100g

Montmorillonite

(Fluoro) Mica

Synthetic

Hectorite

(Talc/Na2SiF6)
Na0.66Mg2.68(Si3.98Al0.02)O10.02F1.96

1)

Na0.46(Mg5.42Li0.46)Si8O20(OH)4

Cationic Exchange Capacity = maximum amount of cations, e.g. NH4+, that

can be taken up per unit mass, in H2O at pH 7 (1meq/g is 96.5 Coulombs/g

in SI units)

The Processing Challenge

m-size Particle
Platelets

> thousands

Polymer

 Modification of CLAY, Why?

Clay H2O
(hydrophilie)

??????
Polymer H2O
(hydrophobie)

MMTs modification methods :

I/ Alkyl ammonium salts

Alkyl phosphonium salts
Alkyl sulfonium salts
2/ Polymers : PEO, PVA
3/ Carboxylic Acids

Interlayer Organo-modification
when using relatively lipophilic polymers, there is a need for rendering the
interlayer less hydrophilic :
exchange of the inorganic cations with organic cations : ammoniums
bearing long alkyl chains

Na+

R
+
R N
R
H2O, T

R
+
R N
R

With d : basal spacing

d(d>d)
d=f(alkyl chain length; CEC)

Cationic head
From Vaia et al., Chem. Mater. 6 (1994)

Modification of MMT by polymers

PEO

Process for preparing a nanocomposite rigid material ; Ha Thuc Huy et al.,

US patent 2009 No: US 20090209680A1

Organic acid modified MMT

Step 1:

Kivanc Isik v Gokhan Andi (US Patent 2008 - No : US 7,326,750 B1)

Step 2 :

XRD diagramme of Organic acid

modified MMT

Structures of NANOCOMPOSITES

 Three extreme structures :

Heterogeneous clay
distribution throughout
the matrix

Swollen tactoids Disordered intercalates

Homogeneous clay
distribution throughout
the matrix

Characterization of Nanocomposite Morphology

X-ray diffraction : XRD

1 nm

intercalated

increase of the basal

spacing (d)

exfoliated

disappearance of the
diffraction peak

Transmission Electron Microscopy : TEM

Reflection Planes in a Cubic Lattice

Layered Silicate Nanocomposites : Characterization by XRD

X-rays ()

diffracted

beam
Via Braag law :

n . = 2 . d . sin

e.g. :

Organo-modified hectorite in :
Silicone rubber matrix

Exfoliation

PS matrix
Intercalation
HDPE matrix

Microcomposite

From Giannelis et al., Adv. Polym. Sci., 118 (1999)

Layered Silicate Nanocomposites : Characterization by TEM

Recorded over (ultra-cryo)microtomed slides (50 to 80 nm
thick) :

e.g., PS-based nanocomposites :

Intercalated

Exfoliated

100 nm
From Doh et al., Polym. Bull., 41 (1998)
(1999)

From Weimer et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 121

Polymer Layered Silicate Nanocomposites : General Properties

At low layered silicate content (as low as 3 to 5 wt%) :
Improved material stiffness while maintaining good ultimate properties and impact strength
Improved high temperature stability
Enhanced/modified crystallinity (e.g., nylon-6)
Improved gas barrier properties (e.g., to oxygen and water vapor permeability)
Improved resistance against organic solvents
Enhanced flame retardant behavior (lower heat release, no longer dripping, charring)
Improved surface finish (gloss, smoothness)
Good optical properties (transparency, haziness,)
Reduced linear thermal expansion
Improved processability and rheology,

From Alexandre and Dubois, Mater. Sci. Eng. R., 28

(2000)

Polymer Layered Silicate Nanocomposite Preparation

Three main techniques :

- Exfoliation-adsorption in solution : dispersion of the clay in a solution

of polymer, followed by solvent evaporation (or polymer precipitation)
-Melt intercalation : direct nanocomposite formation by clay
intercalation by the preformed polymer chains in the molten state
- In situ intercalative polymerization : monomer intercalation within
the clay galeries, followed by in situ (catalyzed) polymerization

I. Exfoliation-adsorption in solution

Organo-clay

Evaporation
Swelling

Nanocomposites

Intercalation
Precipitation

Solvent
Polymer

- Water (widely used)

PVOH, PEO, PAA, poly(vinylpyrrolidone),

- Organic solvents

HDPE (in xylene/benzonitrile)

PCL, PLA (in CHCl3)
Nitrile copolymers (in DMF)

Mainly intercalation (limited extent of delamination)

Exfoliation-adsorption in solution : nitrile copolymer-based nanocomposites

Nitrile copolymer

DMF
d = 1.65 nm

Swelling

Organo-MMT

Intercalation

Evaporation

Nanocomposites

Vacuum at 80C (24h) d = 2.15 nm

Protonated dodecylamine

MMT
d = 1.18 nm

With 15 wt% MMT :

S = stacked silicates
I = individual layer

From Jeon et al., Polym. Bull., 41 (1998)

II. Layered Silicate Nanocomposites by Melt Intercalation

Organo-clay
Blending/shearing

Nanocomposites

Polymer
Semi-crystalline Thermoplastics : Polyamides, PP, PE, PCL, PLA,
Amorphous Thermoplastics : PS, PMMA,
Rubber-like Matrices : EVA, SBS,
Elastomers : reactive PDMS, NBR (with a subsequent cross-linking
step)
Outcome of molten polymer intercalation : interplay of entropic and enthalpic factors

From Alexandre and Dubois, Mater. Sci. Eng. R., 28

(2000)

Melt Intercalation : Driving Forces

Compensation of the loss of conformational entropy of polymer chains during
intercalation by - gain of conformational entropy of ammonium alkyl chains and
- enthalpic interactions between the polymer and the

(both apolar alkyl chains and

organo-clay

polar silicate surface)

Blending

Key-parameters :
- Polymer/organo-modifier compatibility (including external compatibilizers),
- Layered silicate : CEC, aspect ratio, drying state,
- Organic cations : length (usually > C11), number and functionality of alkyl chains
MW.

- But also processing temperature and shearing, residence time vs. polymer
From Vaia et al., Macromolecules, 30 (1997)

Melt Intercalation : effect of processing

Degree of delamination and clay dispersion are dependent on :
- Clay chemical treatment and polymer/organo-clay compatibility
- Melt processing : shear extent, extruder and screw design, residence time,
viscosity,
Four typical examples :
A) No compatibility : PP/Cloisite 15A
B) Tuned compatibility by external compatibilizer : PP/MAGPP/Cloisite 15A
C) Marginal inherent compatibility : Nylon-6/Cloisite 15A
D) High miscibility : Nylon-6/Cloisite 30B

Effect of Processing Conditions on Nanostructure ?

Cloisite 15A : MMT treated with (C14-18H29-37)2N+(CH3)2

Cloisite 30B : MMT treated with (C14-18H29-37)(CH3)N+(CH2CH2OH)2
From Paul et al., Polymer, 42 (2001)

Enhanced
Polymer/Organo-clay
Interaction

Melt Intercalation : effect of processing

~m particle

A) PP/Cloisite 15A

D) Nylon-6/Cloisite 30B

B) PP/MAGPP/Cl.15A C) Nylon-6/Cl.15A

Dispersion

Tactoids/intercalants

Partial
dispersion

Tactoids/intercalants
size-minimized at
higher shear

No Exfoliation :
No Chemistry control
Only limited Processing
Control
A) No compatibility : PP/Cloisite 15A

Dispersion

Possible Exfoliation
by
Chemistry/Processi
ng Control

B) Tuned compatibility by external compatibilizer : PP/MAGPP/Cloisite 15A

C) Marginal inherent compatibility : Nylon-6/Cloisite 15A
D) High miscibility : Nylon-6/Cloite 30B

From Paul et al., Polymer, 42 (2001)

Exfoliation
by
Chemistry Control

Melt Intercalation : effect of processing

Cases B and C : Exfoliation by Chemistry/Processing Control : TWO STEPS

1. Tactoids/intercalants formation
Particles shear apart

High shear
intensity required

2. Platelets delamination

~100 nm
Platelets

High shear

peel apart

intensity NOT

Via polymer chains diffusion into galleries

(facilitated by longer residence time)

B) Tuned compatibility by external compatibilizer : PP/MAGPP/Cloisite 15A

C) Marginal inherent compatibility : Nylon-6/Cloisite 15A

From Paul et al., Polymer, 42 (2001)

required

Melt Intercalation : effect of processing/chemistry

A) PP/Cloisite 15A
B) PP/MAGPP/Cloisite 15A

- High Shear -

- High Shear -

100 nm

Particles Shear Apart

100 nm

Platelets Peel Apart

From Paul et al., Polymer, 42 (2001)

Effect of processing
Type of extruder
and
screw configurations

C) Nylon-6/Cloisite 15A

From Paul et al., Polymer, 42 (2001)

100 nm

III. Layered Silicate Nanocomposites by In Situ Polymerization

Initiator
Organo-clay
Swelling

Polymerization

Nanocomposites

Monomer
Catalyst
Thermoplastics : Polyamides, PMMA, PS, HDPE, PCL, PLA, PET,
Thermosets : Epoxy (DGEBA/aromatic diamine-based), unsaturated
polyesters,
Elastomers : Rubber-epoxy (DGEBA/polyether diamine-based), polyurethanes,
Driving forces :
1) Monomer
attraction by the high surface energy of organo-clays

2) Monomer diffusion up to a swollen equilibrium is reached

3) Catalyzed/initiated intercalative polymerization, shifting the equilibrium
4) More monomer driven in the galleries eventually, clay delamination possible

From Alexandre and Dubois, Mater. Sci. Eng. R., 28

(2000)

In Situ Polymerization : Pioneer Works by Toyota Research Team

-Caprolactam

100C, 30min

250C, 6h

Swelling

Polymerization

Nanocomposites

Organo-MMT
H3N+-(CH2)n-1COOH

MMT
+

Accelerator
H2N-(CH2)5COOH

H3N-(CH2)n-1COOH
n
2

d-spacing
of modified clay ()

d-spacing when
swollen by -CLa ()

12.7

14.4

13.1

19.7

13.2

19.9

13.2

20.4

13.2

23.4

13.4

26.4

11

17.4

35.7

12

17.2

38.7

18

28.2

71.2

From Usuki et al., J. Mater. Res., 8 (1993)

Exfoliation (MMT<15wt%)
Intercalation (MMT>15wt%)

In Situ Polymerization
Controlled/living
intercalative
polymerization of
Styrene
(in bulk, 125C)
MMT treatment with
nitroxyl-based
ammonium

Grafted PS chains of

Quantitative
EXFOLIATION

From Weimer et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 121 (1999)

predetermined Mn and narrow

MWD ( ~ 1.3)

In Situ Polymerization : Thermoset (epoxy) Nanocomposites

DGEBA

Sonication

20C-150C, 6h

Swelling

Delamination/
epoxy network

Organo-MMT
(C18H37)(CH3)N+(CH2CH2OH)2

Nanocomposites

Curing agent
e.g., diamine

MMT
4wt%

Intercalation

From Messersmith et al., Chem. Mater., 6 (1994)

Delamination

Chapter 2, Part 1 : Intermediate Conclusions

Illustrated by Effective Industrial Applications :

(US)

(US)

- PE/EVA/organo-clay/Al(OH)3 : electrical cables

CableWerk Eupen (B)

- PET/PA/organo-clay : beer and juice bottles

EastmanNanocor (US)

- PA-6(-6,6)/organo-clay : fuel tank, engine cover

RTP, UBE (D)

- PA-6/organo-clay : masterbatch compounds

Aegis NC, Honeywell

- PA-6/organo-clay : engine cover

food packaging films

Toyota (J)
Bayer (D)

- PP/EPR/organo-clay : car part (step)

MontellGeneral Motors

Selection
of to
relevant examples
Promising future for
polymer clay
nanocomposites

Applications of Nanocomposites in General Motors

Vehicles

Nanocomposite TPOs
summary of tangible
benefits
Mass savings of 3 to 21%
(Specific Gravity of 0.92 vs. 0.961.13 g/cm3)
Improved Appearance, Colorability
& Paintability
HUMMER H2 SUTImproved Scratch/Mar
Performance
Large Processing Window
Reduced Paint Delamination
Retains Low Temperature Ductility
Improved Recyclability
Lower Flammability

M-Van Step Assist: 1st Commercial

Launch
From Mark

Impala: 2nd Nanocomposite Application

Verbrugge, Materials Research Laboratories, General Motors

(2004)