Active Polymer Nanocomposites: application in thermoplastic polymers and in polymer foams

Polymer nanocomposites are a new class of innovative materials in which well-dispersed fillers, having at least one dimension in the nanometric range, are incorporated into organic polymer matrix. Because of their nanometer-size dispersion, polymer nanocomposites exhibit improved mechanical, thermal and chemical properties when they are compared with pristine polymer or conventional composites. Layered inorganic nanostructures, which are fillers very used in polymer nanocomposite researches, can be intercalated or exfoliated into polymer matrix. Because of the larger surface area and high aspect ratio of the nanoclay layers, the exfoliated structures generally provide the best performances. Several strategies have been proposed by Veneto Nanotech and CETMA synergy in melt compounding for thermoplastic polymer nanocomposites production and in foam nanocomposites production. Layered silicate/polymer nanocomposites can be useful in different applications (such as packaging, bio-medicine and thermal insulation materials).