Nanocomposites offer potentially outstanding material performance. Clay-containing polymeric nanocomposites have reached a commercially viable stage, and are being incorporated into many new applications. This two-volume resource offers an encyclopedic compilation of the material published to date in this exciting new field of polymer science. It describes patents, journal and conference articles, and the practical experience of the author in developing and working with these new materials.

From the Preamble: “...The central theme of this book is the use of nanotechnology for the development of new structural polymeric systems, the polymeric nanocomposites (PNCs), and particularly the clay-containing polymeric nanocomposites (CPNCs). These mass produced materials are dispersions of inorganic, nanoscale platelets in a polymeric matrix. Economics preclude the use of most of the manufacturing methods developed for ceramic and metallic nanocomposites. The key to the success of the CPNC industry is to provide new materials significantly outperforming the old ones at a marginal incremental cost increase per unit volume...”

Target Audience: Materials scientists, designers, technologists, and product managers who are interested in clay-containing polymeric nanocomposites and their potential applications.

Table of Contents:

Volume 1.

Introduction:

General

NCs with Ceramic or Metallic Matrix

NCs with Polymeric Matrix

Basic Elements of Polymeric Nanocomposite Technology:

Nanoparticles of Interest to PNC Technology

Clays

Intercalation of Clay

Exfoliation of Clays

Fundamental Aspects:

Thermodynamics

Thermal Stability

Rheology

Nucleation and Crystallisation

Mechanical Behavior

Volume 2.

Technology of Clay-Containing Polymeric Nanocomposites:

Thermoplastic CPNC

Thermoset CPNC

Elastomeric CPNC

Performance:

Mechanical Properties, Flame Retardancy of CPNC, and Permeability Control

Closing Remarks

Appendices

References

Index