Feature Article

Twenty Years of Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites

  1. Akane Okada*,
  2. Arimitsu Usuki

Article first published online: 5 DEC 2006

DOI: 10.1002/mame.200600260

Issue

Macromolecular Materials and Engineering

Macromolecular Materials and Engineering

Volume 291, Issue 12, pages 1449–1476, December 8, 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Okada, A. and Usuki, A. (2006), Twenty Years of Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites. Macromol. Mater. Eng., 291: 1449–1476. doi: 10.1002/mame.200600260

Author Information

  1. Toyota Central Research & Development Labs., Inc., Materials Department, Yokomichi, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1192, Japan

*Toyota Central Research & Development Labs., Inc., Materials Department, Yokomichi, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1192, Japan. Fax: +81 561 63 5441

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 5 DEC 2006
  2. Article first published online: 5 DEC 2006
  3. Manuscript Revised: 25 SEP 2006
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 25 SEP 2006
  5. Manuscript Received: 2 JUL 2006
Corrected by:

Correction: Twenty Years of Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites

Vol. 292, Issue 2, 220, Article first published online: 12 FEB 2007

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Keywords:

  • clay;
  • hybrids;
  • molecular composites;
  • nanocomposites;
  • NCH

Abstract

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Summary: More than twenty years have passed since we invented PCN, in which only a few wt.-% of silicate is randomly and homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix. When molded, these nanocomposites show superior properties compared to those of pristine polymers. The number of papers on PCN has increased rapidly in recent years, reaching over 500 in 2005 alone. Being pioneers of this new technology, we review its history relative to the following epochal events:

  • In 1985 we invented nylon 6-clay hybrid (NCH), the first PCN.

  • In 1989, cars equipped with a NCH part were launched.

  • In 1997, Gilman found revolutionary fire retardancy in NCH.

  • In 1997, a PP-clay nanocomposite was prepared using a compatibilizer.

  • In 1998, a compounding method for producing PCN was completed.

  • In 2002, Haraguchi invented a revolutionary nanocomposite hydrogel.

So far, only nylon-clay nanocomposites have been used in practice, but other PCN will become increasingly useful in the future.

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