Starch-based nano-biocomposites

Polymer nanocomposites from modified clays: Recent advances and challenges

The surge of interest in and scientific publications on the structure and properties of nanocomposites has made it rather difficult for the novice to comprehend the physical structure of these new materials and the relationship between their properties and those of the conventional range of composite materials. Some of the questions that arise are: How should the reinforcement volume fraction be calculated? How can the clay gallery contents be assessed? How can the ratio of intercalate to exfoliate be found? Does polymerization occur in the clay galleries? How is the crystallinity of semi-crystalline polymers affected by intercalation? What role do the mobilities of adsorbed molecules and clay platelets have? How much information can conventional X-ray diffraction offer? What is the thermodynamic driving force for intercalation and exfoliation? What is the elastic modulus of clay platelets? The growth of computer simulation techniques applied to clay materials has been rapid, with insight gained into the structure, dynamics and reactivity of polymer–clay systems. However these techniques operate on the basis of approximations, which may not be clear to the non-specialist. This critical review attempts to assess these issues from the viewpoint of traditional composites thereby embedding these new materials in a wider context to which conventional composite theory can be applied. (210 references)

A critical appraisal of polymer-clay nanocomposites.

Plasma treatment of polymers encompasses a variety of plasma technologies and polymeric materials for a wide range of applications and dates back to at least the 1960s. In this article we provide a brief review of the United States patent literature on plasma surface modification technologies and a brief review of the scientific literature on investigations of the effects of plasma treatment, the nature of the plasma environment, and the mechanisms that drive the plasma–surface interaction. We then discuss low‐radio‐frequency capacitively coupled nitrogen plasmas and their characteristics, suggesting that they provide significant plasma densities and populations of reactive species for effective plasma treatments on a variety of materials, particularly when placing the sample surface in the cathode sheath region. We further discuss surface chemical characterization of treated polymers, including some results on polyesters treated in capacitively coupled nitrogen plasmas driven at 40 kHz. Finally,...

Plasma Treatment of Polymers

Polymers have wide-ranging applications in food packaging and decorative products, and as insulation for electronic devices. For these applications, the adhesion of materials deposited onto polymer substrates is of primary importance. Not all polymer surfaces possess the required physical and/or chemical properties for good adhesion. Plasma treatment is one means of modifying polymer surfaces to improve adhesion while maintaining the desirable properties of the bulk material. This paper addresses the interaction of organic surfaces with the various components of a plasma, with examples taken from a review of the pertinent literature.

Plasma modification of polymer surfaces for adhesion improvement

The mechanics of nanocomposites is critical in the design of nanomaterials with desirable properties In this paper, the mechanics of polymer−clay nanocomposites is studied using a designed polymer and solution nanocomposite synthesis A copolymer latex, with function groups that strongly interact with the surface of the clay nanoplatelet and glass-transition temperature lower than room temperature, was synthesized Uniformly dispersed nanocomposites were then generated using water as the intercalation agent through the solution process The chain mobility in the nanocomposites is greatly reduced as studied by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and dielectric thermal analysis (DETA) The modulus of the composite increases significantly The modulus enhancement strongly relates to the volume of the added clay as well as the volume of the constrained polymer This modulus enhancement follows a power law with the content of the clay and is modeled well by Mooney's equation for this soft-polymer-based

Mechanics of Polymer−Clay Nanocomposites

E.s.c.a. studies of corona-discharge-treated polyethylene surfaces by use of gas-phase derivatization

An e.s.c.a. study of the gas-phase derivatization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) treated by dry-air and dry-nitrogen corona discharge

A fluid container and method for inhibiting the growth of microbes in liquid nutrient in a container, the container having an interior surface having a metal-ion sequestering agent for removing a designated metal ion from the liquid nutrient for inhibiting growth of microbes in the liquid nutrient.

Container for inhibiting microbial growth in liquid nutrients

A protective and decorative, stretchable, thermoplastic sheet material for bonding by thermoforming to automobile body panels and other articles which comprises a polyester carrier film coated with an aqueous polyurethane paint composition. To aid in the adhesion of the paint, the carrier film is coated with a tie coat composition comprising a self-crosslinking, aqueous polyurethane dispersion.

John M. Pochan

Papers

Mechanics of Polymer−Clay Nanocomposites

E.s.c.a. studies of corona-discharge-treated polyethylene surfaces by use of gas-phase derivatization

An e.s.c.a. study of the gas-phase derivatization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) treated by dry-air and dry-nitrogen corona discharge

Container for inhibiting microbial growth in liquid nutrients

Paint coated sheet material with adhesion promoting composition