| Summary: | Widespread applications of polymers in our daily lives have brought about interests in the field of polymer coatings, most of which serve a single purpose. Polymer coatings are used either as a mechanical protection layer on softer polymers, or a protection against corrosion and photo-oxidation on metals or other functional materials. Most of the existing forms of polymer coatings can only serve a single purpose at a time, and with the increasing range of applications of polymers, it is necessary to have a multifunctional polymer coating.
Recent results have sparked interests in the field of replacing conventional neat polymers with polymer clay nanocomposites. Polymer clay nanocomposites are fabricated by adding low percentages of organo-clay into the thermoplastic material. Clay reinforced polymers usually display improved mechanical properties as compared to their neat polymer counterparts. The extent to which mechanical properties of the polymer, such as stiffness, can be enhanced is highly dependent on the dispersion of clay in the polymer matrix. The dispersion of clay differs from one system to another and is affected by the interfacial interactions present between the clay and polymer interfaces. However, the primary interfacial interactions formed between the polymer and organo-clay surfaces are Van der Waals force of attraction, which are generally weaker than other forms of interfacial interactions. As a result, clay is unable to
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effectively adhere to the polymer surface to efficiently enhance the latter’s properties.
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