Unique morphology of dispersed clay particles in a polymer nanocomposite

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 52; no. 5; pp. 1297 - 1301
• Main Authors: Malwela, Thomas, Sinha Ray, Suprakas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Beams (radiation); Clay (material); Composites; Cross sections; Exact sciences and technology; Focused-ion beam; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Morphology; Morphology of dispersed clay particles; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer nanocomposite; Silicates; Technology of polymers; Morphology of dispersed clay particles; Focused-ion beam; Polymer nanocomposite; Organic clay; Montmorillonite; Dispersion degree; Experimental study; Succinate copolymer; Ester copolymer; Morphology; Nanocomposite; Adipate copolymer; Aliphatic copolymer
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2011.01.027

This communication reports a unique morphology of dispersed clay particles in a polymer nanocomposite. A nanocomposite of poly[butylene succinate)-co-adipate] (PBSA) with 3 wt% of organically modified montmorillonite was prepared by melt-blending in a batch mixer. The focused-ion beam cross-sectioning at 36° to the sample surface, followed by delineation etching with water revealed a unique dispersed morphology of the clay particles in PBSA nanocomposite. The scanning electron microscopy image showed a unique structure, where the vertically embedded stacked silicate layers fall down to the PBSA matrix, forming a corn-flake like structure. This unique structured was called as “nano-flake”. [Display omitted]