Polymer-clay nanocomposites: current status and challenges
Gupta, R and Bhattacharya, S 2008, 'Polymer-clay nanocomposites: current status and challenges', Indian Chemical Engineer, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 242-267.
The key to the performance of polymer nanocomposites is the quality of dispersion of the nano-reinforcement particles and the interfacial interaction between the matrix and the reinforcement phase. Optimisation of these properties requires various special and complicated treatments, which are not always easy to determine. Often property enhancement is not as significant as expected by the industry for the use of these nanocomposites. The present paper aims to provide an overview of the current status of these materials in terms of their development and production. Examples have been provided for the production of thermoplastic, thermoset and biodegradable polymer nanocomposites by different means, such as melt blending and in-situ polymerisation. It also focusses on properties enhancement reported by different researchers and future challenges for these emerging materials in engineering applications.
