Polymer layered silicate/carbon nanotube nanocomposites : morphological and rheological properties

Morphological and rheological properties of new ternary nanocomposites based on ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), commercial organo-modified clays (organoclays) and purified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), prepared via direct melt blending, have been evaluated. For sake of comparison, the corresponding binary compositions, i.e., EVA filled with either organoclays or MWNTs, have been investigated as well. While extensive exfoliation can be observed for binary EVA/clay nanocomposites, the addition of MWNTs appears to limit clay exfoliation. Rheological properties show that both clay and MWNTs increase the elastic modulus of the nanocomposites, reflecting the high degree of nanoparticle interconnectivity that can be found in these materials.