Effect of electric field on polymer/clay nanocomposites depending on the affinities between the polymer and clay. Issue 25 (16th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ock, Hyun Geun; Ahn, Kyung Hyun; Lee, Seung Jong
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied polymer science. Volume 133:Issue 25(2016)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2016-03-16
• Subjects: clay -- composites -- rheology; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/app.43582
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8995

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Applying an electric field is an efficient way to fabricate polymer/clay nanocomposites. It helps to achieve a good dispersion of nanoclays which improves the performance of the polymeric system. In this study, the effect of an alternating current (A.C.) electric field was investigated on clay exfoliation with various combinations of polymer/clay nanocomposites. Three different types of organoclays (Cloisite 10A, 20A, 30B) were introduced in polypropylene (PP) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrices. Their rheological properties showed that the A.C. electric field was effective in enhancing the dispersion of organoclays in both the PP/clay and PLA/clay composites. The efficiency of the A.C. field varied depending on the combination of polymer and clay nanoparticles. In the case of PP, the best combination was PP/C20A followed by PP/C10A and PP/C30B. In contrast, PLA/clay showed an opposite trend. This difference arises from the different affinities between the polymers and the functional groups of the clays. The Hansen solubility parameter was introduced to quantify the affinities between the polymer and clay. The electric field was more effective for polymer/clay combinations that had less difference in the Hansen solubility parameter. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2016, 133, 43582. Abstract :