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Preparation and Characterization of EVA/Clay Nanocomposites with Improved Barrier Performance

Author

  • Runcy Wilson
  • Tomás Plivelic
  • Abi Santhosh Aprem
  • C. Ranganathaiagh
  • S Anil Kumar
  • Sabu Thomas

Summary, in English

Poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA)/clay nanocomposites containing two different organoclays with different clay loadings were prepared. The transport of gases (oxygen and nitrogen) through the composite membranes

was investigated and the results were compared. These studies revealed that the incorporation of nanoclays in the polymer increased the efficiency of the membranes toward barrier properties. It was also found that the barrier

properties of the membranes decreased with clay loadings. This is mainly due to the aggregation of clay at higher loadings. The morphology of the nanocomposites was studied by scanning electron microscopy, transmission

electron microscopy and X-ray scattering. Small angle X-ray scattering results showed significant intercalation of the polymer chains between the organo-modified silicate layers in all cases. Better dispersed silicate layer stacking and more homogeneous membranes were obtained for Cloisite 25A based nanocomposites compared with Cloisite 20A samples. Microscopic observations (SEM and TEM) were coherent with those results. The dispersion of clay platelets seemed to be maximized for 3 wt % of clay and agglomeration increased with higher clay loading. Wide angle X-ray scattering results showed no significant modifications in the crystalline structure of the EVA matrix because of the presence of the clays. The effect of free volume on the transport behavior was studied using positron annihilation spectroscopy. The permeability results have been correlated with various permeation models.

Department/s

Publishing year

2012

Language

English

Pages

3806-3818

Publication/Series

Journal of Applied Polymer Science

Volume

123

Issue

Online 30 September 2011

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Topic

  • Physical Sciences
  • Natural Sciences

Keywords

  • EVA/organoclay nanocomposites
  • X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS)
  • TEM
  • free volume
  • gas transport

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1097-4628