Development of Polymer Matrix Clay Nanocomposites for Industrial Applications Using High Throughput Methods

The development of polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites (PNCs) includes a long list of different possible components such as polymers, nano-additives, and co-additives, together with surface chemistry and various processing conditions. This involves the investigation of a large number of parameters that influence PNC performance. Consequently, fairly extensive research and development work is necessary, and this constitutes an obstacle in the commercialization of nanotechnology. This paper, which is based on experience from research and development for an industrial application, presents a procedure composed of high throughput (HT) screening methods for speeding up the development of PNCs.