Degradation Behavior of Nanocomposite Polymer Blends

The usefulness of any material, including nanocomposite polymer blends, depends on its degradability and durability. Thus, this chapter reviews the status of the research on degradation of nanocomposite polymer blends and, in particular, on clay-nanocomposite polymer blends, paying particular attention to both the role of the filler and the role of the blend morphology and composition.The results of recent research indicate that the clay has two opposing effects on the thermal stability of a nanocomposite polymer blend: (1) a promoter effect of the polymer matrix degradation, which decreases the thermal stability, and (2) a barrier effect, which improves the thermal stability. Moreover, the presence of organoclays generally reduces the photostability of nanocomposite polymer blends. Despite the effect of the filler, blend morphology and blend composition can significantly affect, either positively or negatively, the degradation behavior of the polymer blend nanocomposites. © 2014 Elsev...