Synthesis and properties of vermiculite-reinforced polyurethane nanocomposites.

Natural vermiculite was modified by cation exchange with long-chain quaternary alkylammonium salts and then dispersed in polyether-based polyols with different structures and ethylene oxide/propylene oxide ratios. The dispersions were evaluated by X-ray scattering and rheology. In all polyol dispersions tested, polyols were intercalated into the vermiculite interlayers.

Effect of thermally reduced graphene sheets on the phase behavior, morphology, and electrical conductivity in poly[(α-methyl styrene)-co-(acrylonitrile)/poly(methyl-methacrylate) blends.

The effects of thermally reduced graphene sheets (TRG) on the phase separation in poly[(α-methyl styrene)-co-(acrylonitrile)]/poly(methyl-methacrylate) blends were monitored using melt rheology, conductivity spectroscopy, and electron microscopic techniques. The TRG were incorporated in the single-phase material by solution mixing. The composite samples were then allowed to phase separate in situ.