Polymer/clay nanocomposite based coatings for enhanced gas barrier property

Abstract

This paper aims at exploring the revolutionary field of nanotechnology and some of its promising aspects in the innovative field of polymeric nanocomposites because they show substantially improved physical properties as compared to neat polymers. The polymer layered silicate nanocomposites are an important class of hybrid organic-inorganic materials

with improved mechanical, thermal and thermomechanical properties. They also show superior UV and chemical resistance and are widely being investigated for improving the gas barrier and flame retardant properties. The common synthesis techniques to produce polymeric layered silicate nanocomposites and their feasibility as coatings for textiles to improve the property mix have been discussed along with the improved properties of these materials. Polymer nanocomposite based coatings for enhanced gas barrier properties have also been reviewed. A feasibility study on polyurethane /clay nanocomposite based coating for inflatable has been done and it is found that the polyurethane /clay nanocomposite based coated fabric shows an encouraging result on improving the gas barrier property for inflatables.