On the Miscibility of Polymer / Layered Silicate Nanocomposites

In the present work we attempt to control the structure in polymer / layered silicate nanocomposites by understanding and / or altering the interactions between the chains and the surfaces. In this respect, hydrophilic and organophilic systems have been utilized and the final structure of the composites is characterized by X-Ray Diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy. The effect of the solvent quality on the final structure, in the case of solution mixing, has been examined and the results are compared with the respective obtained from melt intercalation whereas the role of the chemical structure or of the different glass transition temperature of the polymer has been evaluated. In the case of very immiscible systems like for example polyolefin/silicate composites the effect of a more polar additive has been examined. Phase separated up to exfoliated structures can be obtained in a controlled way by varying the compatibilizer to organoclay ratio. Sponsored by NATO's Scientific Affairs Division, by the Greek GSRT and by the EU.