Synthetic microcomposite

Figure 1.3 Synthetic microcomposite scanning eiectron micrograph photo of cross section of fractured mica thermoset composite showing mica flakes with a thickness of about 2.5 pm separated by a much thicker poiymer iayer.

In other studies [307, 308], this same group produced bionanocomposites by melt intercalation of PCL and MMT modified by various alkylammonium cations. Depending on whether the ammonium cations contain nonfunctional alkyl chains or chains terminated by carboxylic acid or hydroxyl functions, microcomposites or nanocomposites were produced. The layered silicate PCL nanocomposites exhibited some improvement in mechanical properties and increased thermal stabihty as well as enhanced flame retardancy. The authors concluded that formation of PCL-based nanocomposites, not only depended on the nature of the ammonium cation and its functionaHty, but also on the selected synthetic route, that is, melt intercalation versus in situ intercalative polymerization. 

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