Yan Gao*, Namita Roy
Choudhury**, Naba Dutta
Ian Wark Research
Institute, ARC Special Research Centre
Abstract
Ionomer-clay nanocomposites were prepared from
polyethylene-co-acrylic acid zinc salt (PI) and clay via melt processing. The
effect of clay content, clay modification and clay particle size on the
structure, thermal properties and melt flow behaviours were evaluated. The
resulting materials were characterised by thermal, microscopic and
spectroscopic methods. The results show that the miscibility of the clays in
the ionomer depends not only on the organic
modification, clay content and surface activity of the clay but also on the extent
of shear applied during melt blending. The nanocomposites show mixed
exfoliated/ intercalated behaviour with enhanced property profile.
* Current address:
Institute of Materials Science and Engineering,
ANSTO,
** Communicating author
Phone: 61 8 8302 3719; Fax: 61 8 8302 3755
E-mail: namita.choudhury@unisa.edu.au