Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanocomposites with organoclay

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by solution intercalation method. The clay was organo‐modified with the intercalation agent cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the layers of MMT were intercalated by CPC. Four nanocomposites with organoclay contents of 1, 5, 10, and 15 wt % were prepared by solution blending. XRD showed that the interlayer spacing of organoclay in the nanocomposites depends on the amount of organoclay present. According to the results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, clay behaves as a nucleating agent and enhances the crystallization rate of PET. The maximum enhancement of crystallization rate for the nanocomposites was observed in those containing about 10 wt % organoclay within the studied range of 1–15 wt %. From thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), we found that the thermal stability of the nanocomposites was enhanced by the addition of 1–15 wt % organoclay. These nanocomposites showed high levels of dispersion without agglomeration of particles at low organoclay content (5 wt %). An agglomerated structure did form in the PET matrix at 15 wt % organoclay. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 140–145, 2004     

Ultrasound assisted batch-processing of EVA-organoclay nanocomposites

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasound on the properties of a poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] (EVA)-organoclay nanocomposite. By using a torque rheometer, in-situ rheological behaviors of various EVA resins with varying VA content were examined. It was found that the effect of ultrasound was most significant for EVA 31 (31 wt% VA). EVA31/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared in batch mixer with and without irradiation of ultrasound. The characterization of the nanocomposite was performed using XRD, TEM, rheometry, and universal testing machine. XRD and TEM results revealed that the produced EVA31/organoclay nanocomposite with ultrasonic irradiation possessed intercalated structure. Rheometry result indicated that EVA31/organoclay nanocomposite processed with ultrasound had a highly disordered or delaminated structure. A considerable increase in stiffness and Young’s modulus for the sonicated nanocomposite compared to those for unsonicated one was obtained. This study demonstrated the possibility of producing EVA-organoclay nanocomposites with enhanced dispersion of nanoclays using ultrasound assisted processing.     

Poly(amide‐imide)/organoclay nanocomposites using glycine as a natural amino acid: study on fire and thermal behavior

In the present study, new functional poly(amide‐imide)/organoclay nanocomposite films were successfully fabricated through the solution intercalation technique. New poly(amide‐imide) (PAI) containing glycine was synthesized via solution polycondensation of 1,1',3,3'‐tetraoxo(5,5'‐biisoindoline‐2,2'‐diyl)diacetic acid with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone. The synthesized PAI was characterized by ¹H NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, elemental analysis and inherent viscosity. Then, PAI/organoclay nanocomposite films containing 4 and 8 wt% of organoclay were prepared via solution intercalation through blending of organoclay 30B with the PAI solution. The nanostructures and properties of the PAI/organoclay were investigated using FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), TGA, DSC and microscale combustion calorimetry. XRD and TEM revealed the good dispersion of organoclay in the polymer matrix. TGA indicated that the addition of organoclay into the PAI matrix increases the thermal decomposition temperatures and char yields of the nanocomposites. Organoclay shows a positive effect in improving the flame retardancy of the PAI, reflecting the decrease in heat release rate, the total heat release and the heat release capacity of the PAI nanocomposites, while the thermal stability of the PAI nanocomposites only increased slightly compared with the neat polymer. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Morphology,thermal and mechanical behavior of polypropylene nanocomposites toughened with poly(ethylene‐co‐octene)

Rubber‐toughened polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites containing organophilic layered silicates were prepared by means of melt extrusion at 230 °C using a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder in order to examine the influence of the organoclay and the addition of PP grafted with maleic anhydride (PPgMAH) as a compatibilizer on the morphological, mechanical and thermal properties. The mechanical properties of rubber‐toughened polypropylene nanocomposites (RTPPNCs) were studied through tensile, flexural and impact tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for investigation of the phase morphology and rubber particles size. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to characterize the formation of nanocomposites. The thermal properties were investigated by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The dynamic mechanical properties were examined by using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). From the tensile and flexural tests, the optimum loading of organoclay in RTPP was found to be 6 wt%. The optimum loading of PPgMAH, based on the tensile and flexural properties, was also 6 wt%. The increase in the organoclay and PPgMAH content resulted in a severe embrittlement, manifested by a drop in the impact strength and tensile elongation at break. XRD studies revealed that intercalated RTPPNCs had been successfully prepared where the macromolecular PP segments were intercalated into the interlayer space of the organoclay. In addition, the organoclay was dispersed more evenly in the RTPPNC as the PPgMAH content increased. TGA results revealed that the thermal stability of the RTPPNC improved significantly with the addition of a small amount of organoclay. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of ethylene vinyl acetate/Mg–Al layered double hydroxide nanocomposites

Mg–Al layered double hydroxide (LDH)/Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA‐28) nanocomposites were prepared through solution intercalation method using organically modified layered double hydroxide (DS‐LDH). DS‐LDH was made by the intercalation of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) ion. The structure of DS‐LDH and its nanocomposites with EVA‐28 was determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis. XRD analysis shows that the original peak of DS‐LDH shifted to lower 2θ range and supports the formation of intercalated nanocomposites while, TEM micrograph shows the presence of partially exfoliated LDH nanolayers in addition to orderly stacked LDH crystallites in the polymer matrix. The presence of LDH in the nanocomposites has been confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The mechanical properties show significant improvement for the nanocomposite with respect to neat EVA‐28. Thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis shows that thermal stability of the nanocomposites is higher than that of EVA‐28. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1845–1851, 2007     

A study of the effect of surfactants on the properties of polystyrene‐montmorillonite nanocomposites

Polystyrene‐Organo Montmorillonite (PS‐MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by suspension free radical polymerization of styrene in the dispersed organophilic montmorillonite. The results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) indicated that exfoliated nanocomposites were achieved. The effect of organic modifiers (surfactants) on the properties of the synthesized nanocomposites was studied. It is found that polystyrene‐MMT nanocomposite with 5.0 wt% of organo‐MMT gave the greatest improvement in thermal stability, and polystyrene‐MMT nanocomposites with 7.5 wt% of organo‐MMT showed the greatest improvement in mechanical properties, compared with that of pure polystyrene (PS) in our experimental conditions. The alkyl chain length of surfactant used in fabricating organo‐MMT affects the synthesized PS nanocomposites: the longer the alkyl chain length that the surfactant possesses, the higher the glass transition temperature of the PS nanocomposite, However, the organoclay in the nanocomposites seems to play a dual role: (a) as nanofiller leading to the increase of storage modulus and (b) as plasticizer leading to the decrease of storage modulus. This results in a lower storage modulus of PS‐TMOMMT and PS‐TMTMMT nanocomposites than that of PS‐TMDMMT and PS‐TMCMMT nanocomposites. Further study is needed to confirm the above hypothesis.     

Nanocomposites of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and organoclay prepared by twin-screw melt extrusion

Preparation of nanocomposites based on ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and organoclay by melt intercalation is described in this paper. Effects of VA content, melt flow index (MFI) and maleation of EVA on melt intercalation were investigated by X-ray diffraction. The level of intercalation into the organoclay increases greatly as VA content increases from 6 to 12 wt%, but shows minimal change from 12 to 28 wt%. For 28 wt% VA content polymers with MFI from 3 to 150, interlayer expansion exhibited a maximum at MFI = 6. Exfoliated nanocomposites were not obtained for a range of unfunctionalized EVA's of different VA content and MFI. Use of maleated EVA (MEVA) had an obvious improvement on exfoliation of the silicate layers probably due to chemical interaction between the MEVA matrix and silicate layers. FTIR results showed that the MA functionality reacts during processing. Lower clay content favored formation of an exfoliated nanocomposite structure. Exfoliated nanocomposites from MEVA exhibited higher Young's modulus and tensile strength than either pure EVA or intercalated nanocomposites from non-maleated EVA. Polym. Compos. 25:535–542, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Study on superabsorbent composites. XXI. Synthesis,characterization and swelling behaviors of chitosan‐g‐poly(acrylic acid)/organo‐rectorite nanocomposite superabsorbents

A novel chitosan‐g‐poly(acrylic acid)/organo‐rectorite (CTS‐g‐PAA/OREC) nanocomposite superabsorbent was synthesized by aqueous polymerization using N, N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate as an initiator. Rectorite was organified with four different degree of hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, and the organification of rectorite was proved by FTIR and XRD. The effect of organification degree of rectorite on water absorbency of CTS‐g‐PAA/OREC with different organo‐rectorite content was investigated. The swelling behaviors in distilled water and various pH solutions were also studied. The results from IR spectroscopy and XRD data show that acrylic acid had been grafted polymerization with chitosan and organo‐rectorite and formed nanocomposite. Introducing organo‐rectorite into the CTS‐g‐PAA polymeric network can improved water absorbency and swelling rate of CTS‐g‐PAA/OREC. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation and properties of elastomeric polyurethane/organically modified montmorillonite nanocomposites

Elastomeric polyurethane (PU) was mixed with 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 wt% of Cloisite 30B to obtain PU-based nanocomposites. The thermal stabilities of the obtained products were characterized by thermal analysis using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), which showed that the addition of 5 wt% of organoclay to the PU increased its stability, whereas thermal stabilization was less efficient at 10 wt%. The electrical conductivities of these composites were studied as a function of temperature, and it was found that the conductivity of PU was enhanced upon using 5 wt% of organoclay. The tensile strength, elongation (%), and Young’s modulus were considerably enhanced upon increasing the organoclay content to 5 wt%, but were then decreased to some extent upon further increasing the nanoparticle loading to 10 wt%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study these nanocomposite structures, and it was found that the PU molecular chains were intercalated into the galleries of the silicate layers in all of the nanocomposites, and that this reached a maximum when 5 wt% of Cloisite 30B was used.     

The effect of trimethylol propane tetraacrylate (TMPTA) and organoclay loading on the properties of electron beam irradiated ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/natural rubber (SMR L)/organoclay nanocomposites

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/natural rubber (SMR L)/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending technique with 0–10 phr organoclay loading and 3 phr TMPTA. Electron beam initiated crosslinking on these samples was carried out using a 3.0 MeV electron beam machine with doses ranging from 50 to 200 kGy. XRD results proved that dispersion of organoclay in the nanocomposites was slightly improved by irradiation with TMPTA. This was further supported by transmission electron microscopy images, where the nanoscale dispersion of organoclay was more homogenous throughout the irradiated polymer matrix compared to nonirradiated samples. TMPTA also increased the gel fraction yield, tensile properties and thermal stability of the irradiated neat EVA/SMR L and its nanocomposites. TMPTA was found to act as a crosslink initiator, which promotes crosslink bridges via free radical mechanism in EVA/SMR L matrix. SEM observation shows that the fracture behavior of the irradiated neat EVA/SMR L and its nanocomposites with TMPTA is significantly different compared to the fracture behavior of the nonirradiated neat EVA/SMR L. The distinct failure surface structure formed in the irradiated samples with TMPTA explains the overall higher value of tensile properties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Preparation of poly(styrene‐co‐butyl acrylate)/montmorillonite nanocomposite by emulsion polymerization: Characterization and nanoscratch behavior

Organic–inorganic hybrid poly(styrene‐co‐butyl acrylate)/organically modified montmorillonite (PSBA/organo‐MMT) latex particles have been prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization. The effects of modifier variety and the level of organo‐MMT have been investigated on the basis of the characteristics and mechanical properties of the resulting hybrid emulsion polymers. Although the more hydrophilic intercalated organic modifiers increased the latex particle size, the hydrophobic ones decreased the particle size. A more heterogeneous copolymer chain intercalation was seen by widespread XRD reflection as the organo‐MMT (organoclay) level increases. The tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to determine the dispersion state of organoclay particles inside the nanocomposite copolymer films. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) showed that adding the organoclay to the copolymer decreased the maximum loss tangent (tanδ) value and caused the shift to a lower temperature. Interestingly, the incorporation of organoclay decreased the glass storage modulus of the copolymer, while increased the rubbery storage modulus to some extent. In addition, a standard indenter for the nanoscratching of copolymer nanocomposite films was used under low applied loads of 150 and 250 μN. The nanoscratch results showed that incorporation of a 3 wt % hydrophobic organoclay, e.g., Closite15A, in the copolymer matrix enhanced considerably the near‐surface hardness and grooving resistance of the nanocomposite film at room temperature. In fact, copolymer nanocomposite films with higher near‐surface hardness and tanδ curve broadening exhibited more nanoscratch resistance through a specific variety of viscoelastic deformation, which did not create a bigger groove. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Effects of different kinds of clay and different vinyl acetate content on the morphology and properties of EVA/clay nanocomposites

A series of EVA/clay nanocomposites and microcomposites have been prepared via melt-blending. Using four kinds of EVA with different vinyl acetate (VA) contents: 28, 40, 50 and 80 wt%, and four kinds of clay: three are organophilic clay (OMMT) and one unfunctionalized clay (Na-MMT), the effects of different VA content of EVA and the kinds of the clay on the morphology and properties of EVA/clay nanocomposites were systematically investigated. In previous studies, there are only two distinct nanostructures to distinguish polymer/clay nanocomposites: the intercalated and the exfoliated. But in this paper, we proposed a new nanostructure—‘the wedged’ to describe the dispersion degree of clay in nanocomposites, it means the sheets of clay were partly wedged by the chains of polymer. The wedged, the intercalated and the partially exfoliated structures of EVA/clay nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The enhanced storage modulus of EVA/clay nanocomposites was characterized by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The enhanced degree in the storage modulus of the OMMT on EVA/clay nanocomposites with the partially exfoliated and intercalated structure is much higher than that with wedged structure, and that with the higher VA content is higher than that with the lower. The thermal stabilities of EVA/clay nanocomposites were also studied by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA).     

Synthesis and characterization of cationic gemini surfactant modified Na–bentonite and its applications for rubber nanocomposites

A cationic gemini surfactant (N‐isopropyl‐N , N‐dimethyldodecan 1‐aminium bromide) was synthesized by quaternization reaction. The synthesized surfactant was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. Modified Na–bentonite (organoclay) was obtained by the intercalation of a gemini surfactant between the layers of sodium bentonite and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FTIR, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis (TGA–DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. The results of XRD, TEM, FTIR, TGA, and corresponding DSC analysis indicate that gemini surfactant has been successfully intercalated into the clay layers. Rubber‐based nanocomposites have been prepared by incorporating various concentration of organically modified bentonite on to natural rubber/styrene–butadiene rubber (NR/SBR) rubber blend (75/25) using two roll mill. Effect of organoclay content on XRD, curing, mechanical, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) properties of the nanocomposites are investigated. The morphological study showed the intercalation of nanoclay in NR/SBR blend chain. It was found that the organoclay decrease the optimum and scorch time of the curing reaction, increase maximum torque and the curing rate, which was attributed to the further intercalation during vulcanization process. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, modulus and elongation at break have improved. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:396–403, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis and characterization of UV-curing epoxy acrylate coatings modified with organically modified rectorite

Epoxy acrylate (EA) coatings modified with organically modified rectorite (OREC) were synthesized employing the ultraviolet-curing technique. Two kinds of alkyl ammonium ions, octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (OTAC) and [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium chloride (MAOTMA), were used to modify rectorite (REC). The methacrylate functionalities of MAOTMA were capable of reacting with the acrylate groups of EA. The structure of OREC was characterized by FTIR and XRD and the results indicated that the surfactants were successfully intercalated into the REC interlayers via cation exchange process. The morphology of nanocomposites was investigated by SEM and TEM. OREC showed better dispersion in EA matrix compared with unmodified REC. The T _g of neat EA obtained by DMA was 75.6°C, while for 5 wt% EA/MAOTMA-REC and EA/OTAC-REC nanocomposites it increased to 76.5 and 80.8°C, respectively. The nanocomposite with 3 wt% loading of OTAC-REC had the highest T _g (89.7°C). TGA revealed that the thermal stability of nanocomposites was enhanced by OTAC-REC and MAOTMA-REC and the thermal stability of EA/MAOTMA-REC nanocomposites was better than that of EA/OTAC-REC nanocomposites. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites containing OTAC-REC and MAOTMA-REC were better than those of nanocomposites containing unmodified REC. With increasing OREC content, the adhesive force of nanocomposites decreased slightly and the flexibility increased significantly.     

The effect of organic modifier‐12‐aminolauric acid on morphology and thermal properties of polylactide nanocomposites

A novel organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) based on a bifunctional organic modifier‐12‐aminolauric acid (ALA) was synthesized. Polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites with this new and traditional OMMT were prepared by solution casting method. The effects of the organic modifiers on structure, morphology and thermal properties of PLA nanocomposites have been investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicate that ALA has distinct effects on the dispersion of MMT platelets into the PLA matrix, where partial exfoliated as well as intercalated structures have been obtained, when compared with ordinary modifier, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). TGA data verifies that PLA nanocomposites with ALA‐MMT organoclay display enhanced thermal stability. The optimal clay loading of ALA‐MMT occurs at 3%wt, leading to the best compromise between clay dispersion and thermal properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Subsurface mechanical properties of polyurethane/organoclay nanocomposite thin films studied by nanoindentation

A series of the exfoliated or intercalated PU/organoclay nanocomposite thin films were prepared by in situ polymerization of polyol/organoclay mixture, chain extender and diisocyanate. The surface mechanical properties of the PU/organoclay nanocomposite films were investigated by means of nanoindentation. The results show that the hardness, elastic modulus and scratch resistant of the nanocomposites dramatically improved with the incorporation of organoclay. This improvement was dependent on the clay content as well as the formation structure of clay in the PU matrix. At 3% clay content, the hardness and elastic modulus of intercalated nanocomposites increased by approximately 16% and 44%, respectively, compare to pure PU. For exfoliated nanocomposite, the improvements in these properties were about 3.5 and 1.6 times higher than the intercalated ones. The exfoliated PU nanocomposites also had greater hardness and showed better scratch resistance compared to the intercalated ones.     

Natural rubber/poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate)‐blend‐based nanocomposites

Natural rubber (NR)/poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA) blend–clay nanocomposites were prepared and characterized. The blend nanocomposites were prepared through the melt mixing of NR/EVA in a ratio of 40/60 with various amounts of organoclay with an internal mixer followed by compression molding. X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed that the nanocomposites formed were intercalated. The formation of the intercalated nanocomposites was also indicated by transmission electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy, used to study the fractured surface morphology, showed that the distribution of the organoclay in the polymer matrix was homogeneous. The tensile modulus of the nanocomposites increased with an increase in the organoclay content. However, an increase in the organoclay content up to 5 phr did not affect the tensile strength, but the organoclay reduced this property when it was increased further. This study also indicated that a low silicate content dispersed in the blend matrix was capable of increasing the storage modulus of the material. The addition of the organoclay also increased the decomposition temperature of the NR/EVA blends. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 353–362, 2006     

Synthesis,characterization, and properties of new conducting polyaniline/copper sulfide nanocomposites

This article reports the facile synthesis of copper sulfide (CuS)/polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites by in situ polymerization. The composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–visible and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). SEM analysis showed that the metal sulfide nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix. The characteristic peaks in FTIR and UV–vis spectra of PANI were found to be shifted to higher wave numbers in PANI/CuS composite, which is attributed to the interaction of CuS nanoparticles with PANI chain. XRD pattern revealed the structurally ordered arrangement of polymer composite and this regularity increases with increase in concentration of nanoparticles. Glass transition temperature of the nanocomposite increased with increase in the concentration of nanoparticles and it indicated the ordered arrangement of the polymer composite than PANI. TGA studies indicated excellent thermal stability of polymer nanocomposite. The electrical properties of nanocomposites were studied from direct current and alternating current resistivity measurement. Conductivity, dielectric constant, and dissipation factor of the nanocomposite were significantly increased with the increase in CuS content in the nanocomposite. The enhancement of these properties suggests that the proposed PANI/CuS nanocomposites can be used as multifunctional materials for nanoelectronic devices. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:438–445, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Electrorheological characteristics of solvent‐cast polypyrrole/clay nanocomposite

A solvent‐casting method was applied to prepare intercalated polypyrrole (PPy)/organoclay nanocomposite for its electrorheological (ER) application under an applied electric field when dispersed in silicone oil. Soluble PPy was synthesized using sodium di(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (NaDEHS) as a doping agent at first, and its chemical structure and thermal property were examined using NMR and TGA, respectively. Insertion of the soluble PPy chain into an interlayer of the organoclay was confirmed by a X‐ray diffraction and its morphology was also examined by both SEM and TEM. Its ER property was examined under an applied electric field, regarding flow curve and universal yield stress. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer/multiwalled carbon nanotube/organoclay nanocomposites

Ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) was melt‐mixed with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and organoclays, and the effects of simultaneous use of organoclays and MWCNTs on the surface resistivity and tensile properties of EVA nanocomposites were investigated. The surface resistivity of EVA/MWCNT nanocomposite with 1 phr of MWCNT is out of our measurement range (above 10¹² Ω/square). With increasing content of organoclay from 0 to 3 phr, the surface resistivity of the EVA/MWCNT/organoclay nanocomposites with 1 phr MWCNT remains out of our measurement range. However, the surface resistivity of the nanocomposite decreases to 10⁶ Ω/square with addition of 5 phr organoclay. The tensile properties of EVA/MWCNT/organoclay nanocomposites with 1 phr MWCNT and 5 phr organocaly are similar to those of EVA/MWCNT nanocomposites with 5 phr MWCNT except tensile modulus. POLYM. COMPOS. 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers