Title
Materials with improved properties from polymer-ceramic nanocomposites
Author
Kuchta, F.D.
Lemstra, P.J.
Keller, A.
Batenburg, L.F.
Fischer, H.R.
Technisch Physische Dienst TNO - TH
Publication year
1999
Abstract
In order to link the fundamental research field of polymer crystallization with the technical important field of composite materials polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites from polyethylene (PE) are prepared and their morphology and properties are investigated. The effect of an external confinement introduced by highly anisotropic silicate layers of organically modified clay minerals on crystal growth and nanocomposite properties has been studied. The prepared nanocomposites of organically modified clay minerals and PE exhibit not only a homogeneous distribution of individual silicate layers but also of tactoids. The isothermal crystallization rate of PE in the corresponding nanocomposite at 120 °C is increased in the composite material due to the action of the silicate layers. A significant effect on crystal phase has not been observed so far but from X-ray experiments, however the crystal size seems to be influenced. The thermal stability of the nanocomposites is significantly enhanced and the decomposition mechanism has been changed due to the presence of the layered silicates within the host polymer acting as a barrier for the diffusion of small molecules like oxygen. Due to the none permanent attachment of the polymer chains to the silicate surface the thermal-mechanical properties are only moderately enhanced at low temperature while the glass transition temperature remains unaffected.
Subject
Nanotechnology
Ceramic materials
Clay minerals
Crystal growth
Crystallization
Decomposition
Glass transition
Morphology
Polyethylenes
Thermodynamic stability
Isothermal crystallization
Nanostructured materials
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http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:7d406aa4-58e5-45fb-8a0f-83cd30bc40b1
TNO identifier
235318
Publisher
Materials Research Society, Warrendale, PA, US
ISSN
0272-9172
Source
Proceedings of the 1999 MRS Spring Meeting - Symposium DD, 'Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Materials', 5 April 1999 through 9 April 1999, San Francisco, CA, USA, 576, 363-368
Series
Materials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings
Document type
conference paper