Nanoclay Reinforced Polymer Composites

This book highlights the most essential advances in nanoclay-based nanocomposites, especially natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites. Readers will find extensive information on nanoclay from preparation to applications, and the characterization techniques needed in order to evaluate the resulting properties of nanoclay-based natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites. Topics covered include the characterization of nano-sized clay, chemical modification, and processing techniques for nanocomposites from nanoclay. The book offers a valuable reference guide for academics and industrial practitioners alike.

This book is part of a two-volume book series that exhaustively reviews the key recent research into nanoclay reinforced polymer composites. This second volume focuses on nanoclay based nanocomposites and bionanocomposites fabrication, characterization and applications. This includes classification of nanoclay, chemical modification and processing techniques of nanocomposites. The book also provides comprehensive information about nanoclay modification and functionalization; modification of nanoclay systems, geological and mineralogical research on clays suitability; bio-nanocomposites based on nanoclays; modelling of mechanical behaviour of halloysite based composites; mechanical and thermal properties of halloysite nanocomposites; the effect of Nanoclays on gas barrier properties of polymers and modified nanocomposites. This book is a valuable reference guide for academics and industrial practitioners alike.

Polymer-clay nanocomposites have flame-retardant, antimicrobial, anticorrosion and self-healing properties, they are biocompatible and environmentally benign. Edited by pioneers in the field, this book will explain the great potential of these materials and will bring together the combined physico-chemical, materials science and biological expertise to introduce the reader to the vibrant field of nanoclay materials. This book will provide an essential text for materials and polymers scientists in industry and academia.

There is a major lack of fundamental knowledge and understanding on the interaction between a filler and the polymer matrix. When it comes to nanoscale fillers, such as layered silicates, carbon nanotubes, graphene or cellulose nanofibers it is even more important to know accurate structure-property relationships as well as identifying the parameters influencing material behavior. The reason for the lack of knowledge on how to process nanocomposites and why there are so few applications is that several scientific fields are affected and a joint effort of those scientific communities involved is necessary – starting from the filler manufacturing or pre-processing over polymer chemistry to the polymer processing. In Polymer Nanoclay Composites, all involved scientific areas are viewed together for the first time, providing an all-embracing coverage of all stages of polymer clay nanocomposites processing from lab-scale to industrial scale – stages from the raw material over manufacturing of polymer clay nanocomposites to characterization and the final products. Readers will gain insight in the physical/chemical pre-processing of layered silicates and their incorporation into a polymer matrix using sophisticated technologies (such as advanced compounding) as well as in real-time quality control of the nanocomposite production and future prospects. The book also describes nanotoxicological and nanosafety aspects. Covers the whole processing route with all aspects of the nanocomposites industry with particular focus on the processing of polymer clay nanocomposites Includes quality control and nanosafety Multidisciplinary approach from an industrial perspective

Polymer composites are materials in which the matrix polymer is reinforced with organic/inorganic fillers of a definite size and shape, leading to enhanced performance of the resultant composite. These materials find a wide number of applications in such diverse fields as geotextiles, building, electronics, medical, packaging, and automobiles. This first systematic reference on the topic emphasizes the characteristics and dimension of this reinforcement. The authors are leading researchers in the field from academia, government, industry, as well as private research institutions across the globe, and adopt a practical approach here, covering such aspects as the preparation, characterization, properties and theory of polymer composites. The book begins by discussing the state of the art, new challenges, and opportunities of various polymer composite systems. Interfacial characterization of the composites is discussed in detail, as is the macro- and micromechanics of the composites. Structure-property relationships in various composite systems are explained with the help of theoretical models, while processing techniques for various macro- to nanocomposite systems and the influence of processing parameters on the properties of the composite are reviewed in detail. The characterization of microstructure, elastic, viscoelastic, static and dynamic mechanical, thermal, tribological, rheological, optical, electrical and barrier properties are highlighted, as well as their myriad applications. Divided into three volumes: Vol. 1. Macro- and Microcomposites; Vol. 2. Nanocomposites; and Vol. 3. Biocomposites.

This brief describes a novel approach to overcome the disadvantages of hemp fibres in cementitious composites. The authors describe how the new approach includes the combination of thermal pre-treatment of nanoclay (producing calcined nanoclay) and chemical pre-treatment of fibre surfaces to improve the microstructure, mechanical, physical and thermal properties and also durability of hemp fibre reinforced cement composites. In this work, the synthesis of several materials are studied: nanoclay-cement nanocomposite, calcined nanoclay-cement nanocomposite, untreated & treated hemp fabric-reinforced cement composite, hemp fabric-reinforced nanoclay-cement nanocomposite and treated hemp fabric-reinforced nanoclay-cement nanocomposite. The influence of nanoclay on properties of cement paste and hemp fabric-reinforced cement composite is also presented together with the influence of NaOH pre-treatment of fibre surfaces on properties of hemp fabric-reinforced cement composite. The authors have aimed this brief at those working on environmental-friendly, biodegradable, building materials.

In this research, influence of different levels of Closite Na± additives on the microstructure, morphology and mechanical properties of polymer products was studied. Importance was given to understand the additive level, extent of dispersion in matrix, change in microstructure and respective property observed in the end product. Polypropylene spunbond and meltblown web samples with various levels of Closite Na± additives were produced and characterized. Injection molded polypropylene nanocomposite with 1 to 15 wt % nanoclay additives were also prepared and characterized for microstructure and mechanical properties. Crystallization kinetics studies showed significant increase in crystallization rates on nylon 6 even at 0.25 wt % additives. Near surface and bulk stiffness of the film significantly increased in the presence of nanoclay additives. Intercalated and flocculated morphology was observed for all the polypropylene concentrate and the same morphology was retained in spunbond fibers also. About 25 to 30 % increase in cross direction tear strengths were observed for 1 to 2 wt % clay loading. Fibers with even as low as 1 % clay retains their morphology and integrity in bond point after thermal bonding. At higher weight percentage, stiffness of webs significantly increased and tear strength of webs decreased due to exclusion of excess clay platelets in the interspherulite regions. Property benefits were not observed in the case of melt blown samples with nanoclay additives, but the additives were well dispersed in the fiber web. Compared to control meltblown webs, stiff and open web structure with high irregularity was obtained for samples with clay additive. In case of injection-molded polypropylene composite, significant increase in breaking energy was observed for sample with just with 1 wt % clay additive. At higher weight percentage, segregation was observed in the inter-spherulitic region and failure mode shifted from ductile to brittle.

Nanostructured Polymer Composites for Biomedical Applications addresses the challenges researchers face regarding the creation of nanostructured polymer composites that not only have superior performance and mechanical properties, but also have acceptable biological function. This book discusses current efforts to meet this challenge by discussing the multidisciplinary nature of nanostructured polymer composite biomaterials from various fields, including materials science, polymer science, biomedical engineering and biomedicine. This compilation of existing knowledge will lead to the generation of new terminology and definitions across individual disciplines. As such, this book will help researchers and engineers develop new products and devices for use in effective medical treatment. Summarizes the most recent strategies to develop nanostructured polymer composite biomaterials for biomedicine Outlines the major preparation and characterization techniques for a range of polymer nanocomposites used in biomedicine Explores the design of new types of nanostructured polymer composites for applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, gene therapy and bone replacement

This book presents an extensive review of literature on the properties of carbon nanofibers (CNF) reinforced polymer composites in conjunction with advances in the production and properties of CNFs. It further provides readers a view into the development of lightweight composites whose properties are tailored and enhanced with micro- and nano-reinforcement, along with results from data comparisons from several published investigations.