Unique morphology of dispersed clay particles in a polymer nanocomposite

Thomas Malwela, Suprakas Sinha Ray

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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".

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1297-1301
Number of pages5
JournalPolymer
Volume52
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Focused-ion beam
  • Morphology of dispersed clay particles
  • Polymer nanocomposite

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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