Polymer resin chain diffusion studies

A study by Shah et on die moisture diffusion of a (non-epoxy) vinyl ester resin-based layered silicate nanocomposite also reported a deereased moisture diffiisivity of the nanocomposite, ascribed to the restricted mobility of the polymer chains tethered to the clay particles. A reverse effect, however, could be observed for the equilibrium water uptake of one of the two fillers investigated. The equilibrium water uptake of a vinyl-monomer containing clay nanocomposites increased from 0.012% (neat resin) to 0.021 (5% clay). The water uptake of the other, an alkyl ammonium-treated montmorillonite clay, Cloisite lOA, remained relatively unaffected by the filler addition. The increase of the first nanocomposites system was related to the strong, hydrophilic behaviour of the clay, which remains to some degree in the surface treated state. 

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