• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.146-154
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• 2006

Organic and inorganic hybrid nanocomposites based on poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) (PEN) and silica nanoparticles were prepared by a melt blending process. In particular, polymer nanocomposites consisting mostly of cheap conventional polyesters with very small quantities of inorganic nanoparticles are of great interest from an industrial perspective. The crystallization behavior of PEN/silica hybrid nanocomposites depended significantly on silica content and crystallization temperature. The activation energy of crystallization for PEN/silica hybrid nanocomposites was decreased by incorporating a small quantity of silica nanoparticles. Double melting behavior was observed in PEN/silica hybrid nanocomposites, and the equilibrium melting temperature decreased with increasing silica content. The fold surface free energy of PEN/silica hybrid nanocomposites decreased with increasing silica content. The work of chain folding (q) for PEN was estimated as $7.28{\times}10^{-20}J$ per molecular chain fold, while the q values for the PEN/silica 0.9 hybrid nanocomposite was $3.71{\times}10^{-20}J$, implying that the incorporation of silica nanoparticles lowers the work required to fold the polymer chains.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.292-292
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• 2006

A two-step process of the solution blending and the subsequent melt mixing in a Brabender mixer was used to prepare clay nanocomposites of SAN/PVC and of ABS, respectively. It was found that the new method was effective in obtaining well-dispersed nanocomposites for both cases. The glass transition behavior of the organoclay nanocomposites were analyzed by using theoretical equations. The interaction characteristics were evaluated by using the solubility parameters estimated from the group molar attraction constants.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.179-186
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• 2006

In the present work, low density polyethylene (LDPE)/aliphatic polyester (APES)/organoclay ternary nanocomposites were prepared. In particular, the effect of a compatibilizer, polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MAH), on the morphology and properties of the ternary nanocomposites was investigated. LDPE/APES/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared through melt intercalation method using two different kinds of organoclay. The dispersibility of silicate clays in the nanocomposites was investigated by X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy. The ternary nanocomposites showed higher tensile properties than the LDPE/APES blend did. The dispersibility and properties of nanocomposites containing Cloisite 30B were better than those of the nanocomposites containing Cloisite 20A. Unlike Cloisite 20A, hydroxyl groups in the intercalants in Cloisite 30B interlayer underwent a certain polar interaction with the carboxyl group of APES, favoring the intercalation of APES chains and the formation of LDPE/APES/Closite 30B nanocomposites. However, the introduction of the polar hydroxyl groups also enhanced the interaction with the silicate surface at the same time, thereby rendering somewhat difficult the replacement of the surface contacts by LDPE chains, and impeding the extensive intercalation and further exfoliation of Cloisite 30B in the LDPE/APES matrix. The compatibilizer enhanced the intercalation of the polymer chain inside the clay gallery and thus improved the mechanical properties of the ternary nanocomposites. Rheological measurements of the nanocomposites via frequency sweep experiment indicated a certain interaction between the clay platelet and the polymer molecules in the melted state.

• Carbon letters
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• v.25
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• pp.1-13
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• 2018

Gold functionalized graphene oxide (GOAu) nanoparticles were reinforced in acrylonitrile-butadiene rubbers (NBR) via solution and melt mixing methods. The synthesized NBR-GOAu nanocomposites have shown significant improvements in their rate of curing, mechanical strength, thermal stability and electrical properties. The homogeneous dispersion of GOAu nanoparticles in NBR has been considered responsible for the enhanced thermal conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of NBR nanocomposites. In addition, the NBR-GOAu nanocomposites were able to show a decreasing trend in their dielectric constant (${\varepsilon}^{\prime}$) and electrical resistance on straining within a range of 10-70%. The decreasing trend in ${\varepsilon}^{\prime}$ is attributed to the decrease in electrode and interfacial polarization on straining the nanocomposites. The decreasing trend in electrical resistance in the nanocomposites is likely due to the attachment of Au nanoparticles to the surface of GO sheets which act as electrical interconnects. The Au nanoparticles have been proposed to function as ball rollers in-between GO nanosheets to improve their sliding on each other and to improve contacts with neighboring GO nanosheets, especially on straining the nanocomposites. The NBR-GOAu nanocomposites have exhibited piezoelectric gauge factor (${GF_{\varepsilon}}^{\prime}$) of ~0.5, and piezo-resistive gauge factor ($GF_R$) of ~0.9 which clearly indicated that GOAu reinforced NBR nanocomposites are potentially useful in fabrication of structural, high temperature responsive, and stretchable strain-sensitive sensors.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.23-36
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• 2008

Polymer-clay nanocomposites, a novel organic-inorganic hybrid, attract much attention from both scientific fields and engineering fields due to their balanced improvements in mechanical properties as well as diffusion behaviors, including flame-retarding and barrier properties, with small amounts of clay. Preparation of polymer-clay nanocomposites, summarized as a process for uniform dispersion of hydrophilic layered clays in hydrophobic polymer matrixes, includes several technologies and scientific phenomena, such as surface-modifications of clay layers, physical properties of clays in liquids and dried states, polymer synthesis, polymer rheology, behaviors of polymer solutions/or monomers in the confined geometry, mechanical properties of polymers and clays. To comprehend complicated physical/chemical phenomena involved in the fabrication of nanocomposites, we reviewed physical properties of clays, structures of clays in nanocomposites, characterization of nanocomposites, the relation between morphology and physical property of nanocomposites, surveyed recent research trends, and then suggested a few strategies or methods for fabrication of nanocomposites reflecting future research directions.

• Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.280-280
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• 2006

Na-bentonite (local clay mineral) and Na-montmorillonite were treated with quaternary alkylammonium cations. The effect of the molecular structure and functional groups of the surfactants on the organoclays was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). For the preparation of nanocomposites, organoclays were melt-blended with polypropylene in a twin screw extruder and $Surlyn^{(R)$. ionomer was used as a reactive compatibilizer. The clay dispersions in the composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD spectra showed no peak at low angle indicated that the silicate clay layer has a nearly exfoliated dispersion in the polymer matrix. Thermal and mechanical properties of nanocomposites were higher than those of PP.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.207-217
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• 2009

The discovery of carbon nanotubes(CNTs) has opened up exciting opportunities for the development of novel materials with desirable properties. The superior mechanical properties and excellent electrical conductivity make CNTs a good filler material for composite reinforcement. However, the dispersal of CNTs in a polymer solution or melt is difficult due to their tendency to agglomerate. Many attempts have been made to fully utilize CNTs for the reinforcement of polymeric media. Therefore, different types of polymer/CNTs nanocomposites have been synthesized and investigated. This paper reviews the current progress in the preparation, properties and application of polyamide/CNTs(nylon/CNTs) nanocomposites. The effectiveness of different processing methods has increased the dispersive properties of CNTs and the amelioration of their poor interfacial bonding. Moreover, the mechanical properties are significantly enhanced even with a small amount of CNTs. This paper also discusses how reinforcement with CNTs improves the electrical thermal and optical properties of nylon/CNTs nanocomposites.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.25-28
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• 2003

Carbon nanotubes(CNTs), since their first discovery, have been considered as new promising materials in various fields of applications including field emission displays, memory devices, electrodes, NEMS constituents, hydrogen storages and reinforcements in composites due to their extra-ordinary properties. The carbon nanotube reinforced nanocomposites have attracted attention owing to their outstanding mechanical and electrical properties and are expected to overcome the limit of conventional materials. Various application areas are possible for carbon nanotube reinforced nanocomposites through the functionalization of carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotube reinforced polymer matrix nanocomposites have been fabricated by liquid phase process including surface functionalization and dispersion of CNTs within organic solvent. In case of carbon nanotube reinforced polymer matrix nanocomposites, the mechanical strength and electrical conducting can be improved by more than an order of magnitude. The carbon nanotube reinforced polymer matrix nanocomposites can be applied to high strength polymers, conductive polymers, optical limiters and EMI materials. In spite of successful development of carbon nanotube reinforced polymer matrix nanocomposites, the researches on carbon nanotube reinforced inorganic matrix nanocomposites show limitations due to a difficulty in homogeneous distribution of carbon nanotubes within inorganic matrix. Therefore, the enhancement of carbon nanotube reinforced inorganic nanocomposites is under investigation to maximize the excellent properties of carbon nanotubes. To overcome the current limitations, novel processes, including intensive milling process, sol-gel process, in-situ process and spark plasma sintering of nanocomposite powders are being investigated. In this presentation, current research status on carbon nanotube reinforced nanocomposites with various matrices are reviewed.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 2004

We have prepared poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanocomposites filled with two different types of fumed silicas, hydrophilic (FS) and hydrophobic (MFS) silicas of 7-nm diameter, by in situ polymerization. We then investigated the morphological changes, rheological properties, crystallization behavior, and mechanical properties of the PET nanocomposites. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images indicate that the dispersibility of the fumed silica was improved effectively by in situ polymerization; in particular, MFS had better dispersibility than FS on the non-polar PET polymer. The crystallization behavior of the nanocomposites revealed a peculiar tendency: all the fillers acted as retarding agents for the crystallization of the PET nanocomposites. The incorporation of fumed silicas increased the intrinsic viscosities (IV) of the PET matrix, and the strong particleparticle interactions of the filler led to an increased melt viscosity. Additionally, the mechanical properties, toughness, and modules of the nano-composites all increased, even at low filler content.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.987-994
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• 2009

Palladium nanoparticles having cubic silsesquioxanes (POSS) (Pd-POSS) were produced by the reaction of palladium (II) acetate and octa(3-aminopropyl)octasilsesquioxane octahydrochloride (POSS-${NH_3}^+$ in methanol at room temperature. Functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT-COOH) were prepared by acid treatment of pristine MWNTs. The hybrid nanocomposites of Pd-POSS and MWNT-COOH (Pd-MWNT nanocomposites) were synthesized by self-assembly method via ionic interaction between positively charged Pd-POSS and negatively charged MWNT-$COO^-$. The spherical aggregates of Pd-POSS with a diameter of 40-60 urn were well attached to the surfaces of MWNT-COOH on Silicon wafer. The composition, structure, and surface morphology of Pd-MWNT nanocomposites were studied by UV-vis spectrophotometer, energy dispersive spectrum (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscope (AFM).