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Nanofillers based upon organophilic layered silicates

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2001

Year

Abstract

A wide variety of polymer nanocomposites exhibiting novel property combinations were obtained via in-situ formation of silicate nanofillers during polymerization and processing. Key intermediates were tailor-made silicates which were renderer organophilic by means of cation exchange and exfoliated upon applying shear forces. As a function of organophilic modification, interfacial coupling, and processing conditions it was possible to control nanostructure formation and to improve thermal and mechanical properties such as toughness/stiffness balance, heat distortion temperature, and flame retardency. Basic structure/property correlations were established for nanocomposites based upon in-situ nanofillers and polymers such as polystyrene, polyamide 12, polypropylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polyurethan, and epoxy resins.