Synthesis of Clay-Biodegradable Polymer Nanocomposites Via In Situ Polymerization

초록

Polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites have recently attracted a great deal of interest, both in industry and in academia, because they often exhibit remarkable improvements in the properties of many polymeric materials. The difference in the responses was attributed to the specific polymer-clay interactions.1 A strong polymer-clay interaction enlarged or exfoliated the clay layers, whereas a weak interaction left them intact. The physical and mechanical properties of the polymer-clay composite are determined mainly by the molecular level dispersion of the clay layers in the polymer matrix and the degree of interaction between the polymer matrix and the clay. In general, two routes were adopted to improve the interaction between the polymer matrix and the clay. One is to use proper cationic surfactants to modify the clay by an ion exchange reaction. The other route is to modify the polymer matrix or to use appropriate compatibilizers.