HIGH PERFORMANCE NANO CLAY COMPOSITES FOR ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The primary aim of the study has been to investigate the effect of nano layer distribution in latex matrix, on the mechanical
properties, of the latex-nano particle composites. The nano particles selected are organically modified nano clay. It was
observed that the key for nano composite technology is the exfoliation of the nano particles into their individual platelets. In
this study nano clay is used as filler and is separately incorporated into the latex matrix and the corresponding nano
composites are prepared by co-vulcanization method. The mechanical properties are measured and compared with the
corresponding macroscopic latex-clay composites. The study reveals that there is a remarkable increase in the properties
when nano clay is used as filler in the latex matrix due to the improved latex-nano particle interaction and better
homogeneity in the distribution of nano particles in the latex matrix. The effects of nanolayer reinforcement are manifested
in terms of reduced swelling by solvents and higher modulus values in the latex-nano particle composites. Tunneling
electron microscopic studies (TEM) are conducted to evaluate the extent filler- latex interaction.