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The results of recent research indicate that the introduction of layered silicatemontmorillonite -into polymer matrix results in increase of thermal stability of a number of polymer nanocomposites. Due to characteristic structure of layers in polymer matrix and nanoscopic dimensions of filler particles, several effects have been observed that can explain the changes in thermal properties. The level of surface activity may be directly influenced by the mechanical interfacial adhesion or thermal stability of organic compound used to modify montmorillonite. Thus, increasing the thermal stability of montmorillonite and resultant nanocomposites is one of the key points in the successful technical application of polymer/clay nanocomposites on the industrial scale. Basing on most recent research, this work presents a detailed examination of factors influencing thermal stability, including the role of chemical constitution of organic modifier, composition and structure of nanocomposites, and mechanisms of improvement of thermal stability in polymer/montmorillonite nanocomposites.

Melting and crystallization behaviour of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with different molecular weights (from 1000 to 35 000) and chosen blends of PEG is investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) operating in dynamic mode at different heating rates. The influence of the molecular weight of PEG on its melting point and enthalpy of fusion is evaluated; from the DSC data the degree of crystallinity is calculated–it is found that there is an increased tendency of higher‐molecular‐weight PEGs towards the formation of crystalline phase owing to their lower segmental mobility and more convenient geometrical alignment. During the freezing cycle, an increase in the molecular weight of PEG causes an increase in the solidification temperature and heat of crystallization. Thermal transition data are supplemented by optical microscopy–numerous small sphere‐shaped crystalline structures are observed to join together and impinge on their neighbours, forming eventually a multilayered lamellar texture. By implementing second polymeric component the polydispersity of the system increases, thus lowering the crystallization degree during preparation phase. It influences also the course of solidification by lowering the crystallization temperature, Tc. An additional effect observed in the case of the blend's freezing is associated with larger supercooling, probably due to morphological constraints and entanglements in interlamellar regions. The possible advantage of using PEG blends to replace pure components is connected with the possibility of changing the temperature range and heat associated with melting/freezing. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

In this work, the technology of nano and micro-scale particle reinforcement concerning various polymeric fibre-reinforced systems including polyamides (PA), polyesters, polyurethanes, polypropylenes and high performance/temperature engineering polymers such as polyimide (PI), poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), polyarylacetylene (PAA) and poly p-phenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO) is reviewed. When the diameters of polymer fibre materials are shrunk from micrometers to submicrons or nanometers, there appear several unique characteristics such as very large surface area to volume ratio (this ratio for a nanofibre can be as large as 10 3 times of that of a microfibre), flexibility in surface functionalities and superior mechanical performance (such as stiffness and tensile strength) compared with any other known form of the material. However, nanoparticle reinforcement of fibre reinforced composites has been shown to be a possibility, but much work remains to be performed in order to understand how nanoreinforcement results in dramatic changes in material properties. The understanding of these phenomena will facilitate their extension to the reinforcement of more complicated anisotropic structures and advanced polymeric composite systems.

In previous part of this work factors influencing the thermal stability of polymer nanocomposite materials were indicated, such as chemical constitution of organic modifier, filler content, nanocomposites' structure and the processing-dependent degree of homogenization of nanofiller, were presented. In this part the basic changes in thermal behaviour of different polymeric matrixes (e.g. polyolefins, polyamides, poly(vinyl chloride) and styrene-containing polymers) upon addition of montmorillonite have been described. Brief description of the kinetics of the decomposition process in inert and oxidative environment, as well as analysis of volatile and condensed products of degradation, have also been presented.

Polymer nanocomposites may provide significantly increased modulus, gas barrier, thermal performance, atomic oxygen resistance, resistance to small molecule permeation and improved ablative performance when compared to typical traditional carbon‐fiber‐reinforced polymeric composites. This presentation gives a review on both theoretical and experimental investigations extracting valuable fundamental elements including field emission, thermal stability, and electrical, optical and mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites for aerospace applicability.

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