Our group is developing a number of polymer clay nanocomposites that have specialty functions and enhanced properties for commercial applications. The current R&D efforts are on films, articles, and foams made of polymer clay nanocomposites (PCNs).
Some of the highlights of our efforts include:
- Enhancement of mechanical, thermal and barrier properties of polymer clay nanocomposites (PCN).
- Application of nanoclay to biodegradable polymer technology — new design of novel products.
- Compatibilization of polymer blends using nanoclay as a compatibilizer.
- Elucidation of roles of organically modified clay in PCN
- Investigation of exfoliation and intercalation phenomena
- TEM morphological studies
- Novel binary and ternary polymeric blends
- Characterization of rheological properties and product applications
- Beneficial use of polymer nanocomposites using halloysite nanotubes (HNT)
- Functional rubber formulation using nanoparticles for superior consumer and automotive products
- Specialty paper products using nanofibers and/or nanofibrous materials.
The second project from the last is sponsored by Alberee R&D Company, while the last is sponsored by SWS USA Company.
A recent successful effort in fabricating polymer nanocomposites based on halloysite nanotube(HNT) onto linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) has been published:
- Baheri, A. Lindenberger, S. Sharma, and S. Lee*, “Characterization of Linear Low-Density Polyethylene and Halloysite Nanotube (LLDPE/HNT) Composites Based on Two-roll Calendering Melt Fabrication”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2022.
Sunggyu Lee, PhD 