两步法制备剥离型聚丙烯/蒙脱土纳米复合材料(Ⅰ)制备、表征及力学性能

采用两步法制备了剥离型聚丙烯/蒙脱土纳米复合材料 (PMN).两步法即：在使用高活性极性单体丙烯酰胺 (AM)原位聚合插层有机蒙脱土 (O-MMT)的同时,使部分丙烯酰胺接枝到聚丙烯 (PP)大分子链上,从而得到黏土片层已剥离且与PP又具有良好相容性的材料,以此为母料再与PP熔融共混即制备出剥离型聚丙烯/蒙脱土纳米复合材料.XRD表明,复合材料中蒙脱土片层已剥离;扫描电镜观测不到明显的有机-无机相畴,表明蒙脱土片层分散均匀,分散个体尺寸基本达到纳米级;力学测试表明,该复合材料的拉伸强度达42.4MPa,较基体增加了26%,缺口冲击强度达10.5kJ•m^-2,较基体增加了155%.研究结果表明复合材料达到了预期强韧化效果.     

Characterization of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone‐co‐isobutylstyryl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane) nanocomposites

Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone‐co‐isobutyl styryl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane)s (PVP–POSS) were synthesized by one‐step polymerization and characterized using FTIR, high‐resolution ¹H‐NMR, solid‐state ¹³C‐NMR, ²⁹Si‐NMR, GPC, and DSC. The POSS content can be controlled by varying the POSS feed ratio. The T_g of the PVP–POSS hybrid is influenced by three main factors: (1) a diluent role of the POSS in reducing the self‐association of the PVP; (2) a strong interaction between the POSS siloxane and the PVP carbonyl, and (3) physical aggregation of nanosized POSS. At a relatively low POSS content, the role as diluent dominates, resulting in a decrease in T_g. At a relatively high POSS content, the last two factors dominate and result in T_g increase of the PVP–POSS hybrid. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2208–2215, 2004     

Preparation and properties of heterocyclically conjugated poly(3‐hexylthiophene)–clay nanocomposite materials

A series of heterocyclically conjugated polymer–clay nanocomposite (PCN) materials that consisted of organic poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and inorganic montmorillonite (MMT) clay platelets were prepared by in situ oxidative polymerization with FeCl₃ as an oxidant. The as‐synthesized PCN materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, wide‐angle powder X‐ray diffraction (WAXRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effects of the material composition on the anticorrosion, gas barrier, thermal stability, flammability, mechanical strength, and electrical conductivity properties of the P3HT and PCN materials were studied by electrochemical corrosion measurements, gas‐permeability analysis (GPA), thermogrametric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurements, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and a four‐point probe technique, respectively. The molecular weights of extracted and bulk P3HT were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with THF as an eluant. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3438–3446, 2004     

Thermoplastic olefin/clay nanocomposites: Morphology and mechanical properties

Thermoplastic olefin (TPO)/clay nanocomposites were made with clay loadings of 0.6–6.7 wt %. The morphology of these TPO/clay nanocomposites was investigated with atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray diffraction. The ethylene–propylene rubber (EPR) particle morphology in the TPO underwent progressive particle breakup and decreased in particle size as the clay loading increased from 0.6 to 5.6 wt %. TEM micrographs showed that the clay platelets preferentially segregated to the rubber–particle interface. The breakup of the EPR particles was suspected to be due to the increasing melt viscosity observed as the clay loading increased or to the accompanying chemical modifiers of the clay, acting as interfacial agents and reducing the interfacial tension with a concomitant reduction in the particle size. The flexural modulus of the injection moldings increased monotonically as the clay loading increased. The unnotched (Izod) impact strength was substantially increased or maintained, whereas the notched (Izod) impact strength decreased modestly as the clay loading increased. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 928–936, 2004     

Crystalline morphology and isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/clay nanocomposites

A poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/montmorillonite clay nanocomposite was synthesized via in situ polymerization. Microscopic studies revealed that in an isothermal crystallization process, some crystallites in the nanocomposite initially were rod‐shaped and later exhibited three‐dimensional growth. The crystallites in the nanocomposite were irregularly shaped, rather than spherulitic, being interlocked together without clear boundaries, and they were much smaller than those of neat PET. With Avrami analysis, the isothermal crystallization kinetic parameters (the Avrami exponent and constant) were obtained. The rate constants for the nanocomposite demonstrated that clay could greatly increase the crystallization rate of PET. The results for the Avrami exponent were consistent with the observation of the rodlike crystallites in the PET/clay nanocomposite during the initial stage. Wide‐angle X‐ray scattering and Fourier transform infrared studies showed that, in comparison with neat PET, the crystal lattice parameters and crystallinity of the nanocomposite did not change significantly, whereas more defects may have been present in the crystalline regions of the nanocomposite because of the presence of the clay. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1381–1388, 2004     

Metallocene‐based functionalized polyolefins as compatibilizers in polyolefin nanocomposites

This article reports a study of some functionalized polyolefins evaluated as compatibilizers in polyethylene nanocomposites. The functionalized polymers were prepared by direct metallocene‐mediated copolymerizations of ethylene and a functional comonomer. The prepared nanocomposites were evaluated for mechanical and barrier property enhancement. A good combination of mechanical and barrier properties was obtained with the metallocene‐based functionalized polyethylene. The toughness–stiffness balance was better than or comparable to that achieved with conventional functionalized polymers such as maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene. The results also indicated that these metallocene‐based functionalized polyolefins, when used as compatibilizers, could have relatively higher molar masses and lower functionality than those of conventional post‐reactor‐modified compatibilizers, and so the drawbacks associated with the latter could be avoided. Their inherent properties could also further improve the final nanocomposite properties. This was attributed to the more homogeneous nature of metallocene‐catalyzed polymers in comparison with post‐reactor‐modified products. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1094–1100, 2004     

Characteristics of polyvinylpyrrolidone-layered silicate nanocomposites prepared by attrition ball milling

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/sodium montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites prepared via the solution intercalation method were investigated by UV/vis, SEM, X-ray diffraction, TEM, FT-IR and PLM (polarized light microscopy). PVP/MMT nanocomposites show exfoliation below 20 wt% MMT and intercalation above this concentration. Nanocomposites retain good optical clarity and increased thermal resistance with MMT content. The compatibility between PVP and MMT and their enhanced properties may be explained by hydrogen bonding interactions. In addition, the nanocomposites prepared under more rigorous mixing conditions show better transparency because the smaller particle sizes are induced. In addition, the study on optically clear PVP/MMT suspensions helps one to understand how optical anisotropy of MMT is affected by the existence of polymer in aqueous solution.     

Preparation and characterization of mesostructured polymer-functionalized sol–gel-derived thin films

The present study attempts to incorporate methacrylate-based polymers into ordered lamellar organic/inorganic nanocomposite films composed of alternating SiO₂/polymer layers. The films are prepared by dip-coating from a solution containing the monomers and silica precursors, thus leading to composite lamellar mesostructured materials through evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA). A polymerizable coupling agent is added to covalently link the polymers to the silica matrix. The final polymer/SiO₂ hybrid material is obtained by a separate free-radical polymerization step, initiated by UV exposure or thermal treatment. Using trimethoxy(7-octen-1-yl)silane as a coupling agent, a procedure was established that preserved the mesostructure and maintained the swelling properties of the polymers, while acrylate-based coupling agents lead to a significant distortion of the film mesostructure. Structure and composition of the films were studied by X-ray diffraction, NMR and IR.     

Preparation of a Translucent, Conductive, Porous Nanocomposite

A translucent, conductive, porous nanocomposite was designed and prepared by depositing SnO₂ on the inner surfaces of the pores of a porous glass plate and on its outer surface using a chemical vapor deposition method. The porous nanocomposite almost maintained its large surface area and pore volume because the pores remained open after they were deposited with SnO₂. Conductivity between the two outer surfaces of the nanocomposite plate was confirmed for the first time.     

Silicon Nitride–Silicon Carbide Nancocomposites Fabricated by Electric-Field-Assisted Sintering

Starting with Si-C-N(-O) amorphous powders, and using the electric field assisted sintering (EFAS) technique, silicon nitride/silicon carbide nanocomposites were fabricated with yttria as an additive. It was found that the material could be sintered in a relatively short time (10 min at 1600°C) to satisfactory densities (2.96–3.09 g/cm³) using 1–8 wt% yttria. With decreasing yttria content, the ratio of SiC to Si₃N₄ increased, whereas the grain size decreased from ∼150 nm to as small as 38 nm. This offers an attractive way to make nano-nanocomposites of silicon nitride and silicon carbide.