In situ Interlamellar Production of Amide Based Functional Copolymer/Clay Nanocomposites

Functional amide based copolymer/clay nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ radical-initiated interlamellar copolymerization from acrylamide and citraconic anhydride monomers in the presence of organically modified montmorillonite (O-MMT) clay. To investigate...

An Investigative Study on the Progress of Nanoclay-Reinforced Polymers: Preparation, Properties, and Applications: A Review

Nanoclay-reinforced polymers have attracted considerable universal attention in academic and industrial research due to their outstanding properties and their ever-expanding utilization in diversified applications. In that regard, in the present review, the structure of layered silicate clay, as well as procedures for clay material modification, are outlined. We also discuss the general characterization techniques, synthesis methods, and various properties of polymer–clay nanocomposites (PCNs), and some examples likewise are depicted from the scientific literature. The study’s primary goal is to provide an up-to-date survey of polymer–clay nanocomposites and their specific applications in industries such as automotive, flame-retardant, and biomedical applications, coating, and packaging.

Physical-Mechanical Behavior and Water-Barrier Properties of Biopolymers-Clay Nanocomposites

The preparation and characterization of biodegradable films based on starch-PVA-nanoclay by solvent casting are reported in this study. The films were prepared with a relation of 3:2 of starch:PVA and nanoclay (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% w/v), and glycerol as plasticizer. The nanoclays before being incorporated in the filmogenic solution of starch-PVA were dispersed in two ways: by magnetic stirring and by sonication. The SEM results suggest that the sonication of nanoclay is necessary to reach a good dispersion along the polymeric matrix. FTIR results of films with 1.0 and 1.5% w/v of sonicated nanoclay suggest a strong interaction of hydrogen bond with the polymeric matrix of starch-PVA. However, the properties of WVP, tensile strength, percentage of elongation at break, and Young’s modulus improved to the film with sonicated nanoclay at 0.5% w/v, while in films with 1.0 and 1.5% w/w these properties were even worse than in film without nanoclay. Nanoclay concentrations higher than 1.0 w/v saturate the polymer matrix, affecting the physicochemical properties. Accordingly, the successful incorporation of nanoclays at 0.5% w/v into the matrix starch-PVA suggests that this film is a good candidate for use as biodegradable packaging.

Physical-Mechanical Behavior and Water-Barrier Properties of Biopolymers-Clay Nanocomposites

The preparation of new materials based on starch for the development of biodegradable packaging is increasing, however, the poor properties of this biopolymer for this application causes an area of opportunities for the improvement of water vapour permeability (WVP), mechanical properties, thermal properties, hydrophilicity, water absorption, among others. Hence, starch has been combined with other polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, which has shown an improvement in the mechanical properties of starch, also, the use of clays suggests that the properties of response to water can be improved. Therefore, in this work, the preparation and characterization of starch-PVA-nanoclay films prepared by solvent casting is reported. The results obtained suggest that the sonication of nanoclay is necessary to reach a good dispersion, which promotes a strong interaction among starch-PVA-nanoclay. In addition, the properties of WVP and mechanical properties of films improved with incorporation of nanoclay, the concentration of 0.5% w/v of nanoclay showed to be the best concentration due to concentrations of 1.0 and 1.5% w/v were poorer than 0.5% w/v. Accordingly, the successful incorporation of nanoclays into the matrix starch-PVA suggests that this material is a good candidate for use as packaging.