POLY 222 |
| Thin films of anionic clay and cationic polymer have been produced by alternately dipping a plastic substrate into dilute aqueous mixtures containing each ingredient. After 30 clay-polymer layers have been deposited, the resulting transparent film exhibits an oxygen transmission rate below the detection limit of commercial instrumentation (< 0.005 cm3/m2 • day). This level of oxygen barrier, which is unprecedented for a clay-filled polymer composite, is believed to be due to a nano-brick wall microstructure comprised of completely exfoliated clay bricks in polymeric mortar. This brick wall creates an extremely tortuous path at thicknesses below 500 nm. With optical transparency greater than 90% and potential for microwaveability, these thin composites are good candidates for foil replacement in food packaging. Some initial results with regard to dielectric properties for thin film capacitors and flame suppression for foam will also be presented. |
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Functional Nanomaterials from New Polymer Synthetic Methodologies
8:30 AM-12:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- Grand Salon 7/10, Oral
Division of Polymer Chemistry |