Polymer Nanocomposite Structures

Depending on the nature of the components used (layered silicate, organic cation, and polymer matrix) and the preparation method, three types of hybrid PCNs can be obtained [17]. Phase-separated microcomposites (conventional composites) are obtained when the polymer chains are unable to intercalate within the inorganic sheets clay lamellae remain stacked in structures marked as tactoids as in the pristine mineral. Otherwise, when the polymer chains penetrate in between the clay galleries, an intercalative system is obtained. In this case, the nanocomposite shows, at least in principle, a well-ordered multilayer morphology built up with alternating polymeric and clay layers. When clay platelets are randomly dispersed in the polymer matrix and the lamellae are far apart from each other, so that the periodicity of this platelet arrangement is totally lost, an exfoliated structure is achieved. 

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Shah, D., Polymer nanocomposites structure and dynamics at the interface and their effect on nanohybrid properties, PhD Thesis, Cornell University, 2004. 

POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITE STRUCTURE AND DISPERSION 12.2.1 Synthesis Procedures... 

Instead, those materials that help set up a polymer nanocomposite structure but may not necessarily be part of the interface between polymer and nanoparticle are described as compatibilizers or processing aids, depending on their mode of action. 

Other Nanoscale Analysis Techniques There are other techniques that have also been used to better understand polymer nanocomposite structure namely, atomic force microscopy (AFM), fluorescence, and dielectric constant... 

Kozlov G.V, Yanovsldi Yu.G., Zaikov G.E. Particulate-Filled Polymer Nanocomposites. Structure, Properties, Perspectives. New York, Nova Science Publishers, Inc. 2014,273 p. 

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