A METHOD OF VISUALIZATION OF DISPERSION OF NANOPLATELETS IN NANOCOMPOSITS

摘要

The exfoliation and dispersion of nanoclay particles (0.5 & 2 percent by weight) in a polymer matrix is analyzed using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and TEM, after a low temperature air plasma etch. The plasma etch preferentially removes the polymer to expose the nanoparticles. SEM analysis illustrate the results of the etching in the top and 45 deg surfaces of nanoclay filled polymer. The I-28 clay was dispersed in monomeric dicyclopentadine (DCPD) using sonication (3h) and high shear mixing, followed by curing via ring-opening polymerization catalyzed by a Grubbs-type ruthenium catalyst.