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Novel Approaches For Nanocomposites Preparation and Characterization

Zhang, Xiao
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1399401141

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science, University of Akron, Polymer Engineering.
Abstract In recent years, clay filled polymer nanocomposites are manufactured for a variety of advanced applications due to the abundant resource in nature, platelet structure bearing high aspect ratio, high efficiency, and promising ion-exchange capacity of clay minerals, especially Montmorillonite. To achieve a moderate level of clay dispersion, one of the most ubiquitous approaches is to modify the surface of the layered silicates by exchanging inter-gallery metal cat ions with quaternary ammonium salts. The resultant product is commonly referred to as organoclay. However, the existence of small organic molecules, such as alkyl-ammonium salt in the polymer, leads to vitiation of thermal properties and unnecessary hydrophobicity, in addition to involving tedious ion-exchange and drying process during the preparation of surfactant modified clay. To resolve these issues, in this work, we have developed an ultra-sonication assisted film casting technique to achieve well-intercalated nanostructure of polymer/clay nanocomposites. According to the chemical structure of natural Montmorillonite, hydroxyl groups are present among the negatively charged silicate layers. These hydroxyl groups, if made accessible to the polymer chains area wise, can promote polymer-clay surface interactions for polymers with polar repeating units via hydrogen-bonding. Using ultra-sonication film casting technique, we have dispersed natural Montmorillonite in zinc-neutralized sulfonated EPDM ionomer (Zn-S-EPDM) and polycaprolactone. We also have proved that this technique is applicable to the traditional polymer/organoclay system through the preparation of polystyrene/Cloisite 10A nanocomposites. The morphology and properties of these composite systems are characterized using wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), tensile test, dynamic motion analysis (DMA), and strain-induced buckling instability for modulus measurements (SIBIMM). We have observed different phase behaviors at various filler volume fractions, which are consistent with the intercalation thermodynamic modeling. Because of the well-dispersed nanostructure, Halpin-Tsai model provides generally accurate prediction of the enhancement towards mechanical properties at lower levels of clay loading.
Alamgir Karim, Dr. (Advisor)
Yu Zhu, Dr. (Committee Member)
Kevin Cavicchi, Dr. (Committee Member)
83 p.
Polymers
Nanocomposites; Thin Films; Mechanical Properties; Nanoclay

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Zhang, X. (2014). Novel Approaches For Nanocomposites Preparation and Characterization [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1399401141

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Zhang, Xiao. Novel Approaches For Nanocomposites Preparation and Characterization. 2014. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1399401141.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Zhang, Xiao. "Novel Approaches For Nanocomposites Preparation and Characterization." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1399401141

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1399401141
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© 2014, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License Novel Approaches For Nanocomposites Preparation and Characterization by Xiao Zhang is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12