Polymer/clay nanocomposites are a relatively new class of materials with unique properties which are promising for applications in aeronautic, automotive, construction and healthcare fields, etc. The overall aim of this project was to further understand the impact of clay addition on polymers and polymer blends, which are often found in the recycled stock, and to investigate, with respect to the structure of clay, the thermal and mechanical properties of polymer/clay nanocomposites, with the emphasis placed on toughness. First, low-density and high-density nanocomposite cellular solids were synthesized, and their structure-property relationships were established. Next, high density polyethylene/clay micro and nano composites were prepared without or with the presence of an organic compatibiliser, and their thermal and mechanical properties were investigated. Then, polystyrene/clay composites were prepared using an organoclay pre-treated with different types of surfactants, and their structure and properties were studied. In order to facilitate exfoliation of clay in polymer matrices, a commercial organoclay was treated using a novel method. It was found that the treated organoclay improved the clay exfoliation in different polymer matrices. To help understand how polymer crystallinity and clay dispersion affect the final mechanical properties, nylon 6/clay nanocomposites with varying clay exfoliation degrees were melt-compounded and investigated in detail. Using the same materials, the toughness of the nanocomposites was studied via different testing methods and the fracture mechanisms were discussed intensively. The nanostructure for obtaining the optimum properties was also established. The effects of clay on pristine polystyrene/polypropylene blends with or without an organic compatibiliser were studied and the structure-property relationships for the polymer blends were developed. The effects of clay on recycled polystyrene and recycled polyethylene in the presence or absence of an organic compatibiliser were also investigated.
In conclusion, the addition of clay, upon appropriate treatments, to polymers and polymer blends can be beneficial for plastics recycling and beyond.

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SAFER-Data Display URL	https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=276
Resource Keywords	Plastic reycling, nanocomposite, clay, toughness
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Code	2008-PHD-WRM-4
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Theme	Waste and Resource Management
Resource Availability:	Public-Open
Limitations on the use of this Resource	Any attached datasets, data files, or information objects can be downloaded for further use in scientific applications under the condition that the source is properly quoted and cited in published papers, journals, websites, presentations, books, etc. Before downloading, users must agree to the "Conditions of Download and Access" from SAFER-Data. These appear before download. Users of the data should also communicate with the original authors/owners of this resource if they are uncertain about any aspect of the data or information provided before further usage.
Number of Attached Files (Publicly and Openly Available for Download):	0
Project Start Date	Wednesday 1st October 2008 (01-10-2008)
Earliest Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Friday 20th February 2009 (20-02-2009)
Most Recent Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Sunday 11th September 2011 (11-09-2011)
Published on SAFER	Tuesday 17th July 2012 (17-07-2012)
Date of Last Edit	Tuesday 17th July 2012 at 13:25:18 (17-07-2012)
Datasets or Files Updated On	Tuesday 17th July 2012 at 13:23:37 (17-07-2012)

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