Thermoplastic nanocomposites are being investigated worldwide by a large number of corporations and research institutions. Thermoplastic nanocomposites are defined as a combination of a thermoplastic polymer matrix with an inorganic particle having at least one dimension, whether it is length, width, or thickness, in the nanometer (one-billionth of a meter) size range. Nanocomposites were first investigated by Toyota's Central Research Laboratory in the late 1980s. Researchers at Toyota found that commonly used reinforcements (such as glass fiber and conventional clays) were not homogeneously dispersed at the microscopic level. They hypothesized that properly dispersed nano-sized particles might provide a composite with new and unique properties. Their experiments, which were subsequently patented and licensed to others (including Ube and Nanocor), ultimately focused on modification of Montmorillonite clays by 12-amino dodecanoic acid. The Montmorillonite clays were chosen because they are relatively abundant in nature, contained small platelets (in the nanometer size range) with high aspect ratios [reinforcement efficiency is related to the aspect ratio (length divided by diameter or thickness)], and could be surface modified relatively easily. The work by Toyota, and subsequently confirmed and extended by others, demonstrated that the polymer nanocomposites did indeed offer improvements in properties such as:
- Tensile strength
- Gas barrier properties
- Heat stability (heat distortion temperature)
- Flame retardance (lower heat release rate)
- Abrasion resistance
- Altered electrical properties
- Altered optical properties
However, the most interesting feature of these materials was that the reinforcement efficiency was quite high, thus requiring less reinforcing material and producing minimal alteration of impact strength and surface appearance. In fact, it appears that completely dispersed Montmorillonite clay in thermoplastics may fully saturate a polymer matrix at loadings of 5 to 6 weight percent.Although initially developed for clay/nylon 6 materials, nanocomposite technology is being expanded into other thermoplastics, thermosets, and other applications outside the plastics industry. Alternative reinforcing materials are also being explored. This report focuses on the potential for nanocomposites in thermoplastic resins. Although research is now extending into other inorganic reinforcement agents, the majority of work to date has been with naturally occurring Montmorillonite clays. These clays, which provide layered reinforcement through a platelet structure, will be the primary focus of this report since the technology is more developed and the clays are more likely to be affordable for widespread use in thermoplastics. Nexant Chem Systems Merge
Nexant, Inc., a leading provider of technology solutions and experienced-based technical and management consulting services to electric utilities, energy producers, oil and gas companies, governments, and energy end-users worldwide, has recently acquired Chem Systems. This acquisition, combining our services and products, allows us to span the full range of power, oil, gas, refining, petrochemicals and specialty chemicals sectors and provide our clients with a broader base of services in the energy and process industries. | 
