Preparation and properties of organoclay/polyethersulphone/epoxy hybrid nanocomposites

High performance organoclay/polyethersulphone/epoxy hybrid nanocomposites were successfully prepared by solvent method and melting method, respectively. Preparation methods, microstructures, and properties of these hybrid nanocomposites were studied. Since melting method was easy to attain, environmental‐friendly, and able to produce the hybrid nanocomposites with better properties, it proved to be a preferential preparation method. Although the viscosity of the reaction mixture was relatively high in this method, improving temperature to some extent solved this problem. For the study on the microstructures of the hybrid nanocomposites, they are comprised of polyethersulphone/epoxy semi‐interpenetrating network matrices and orderly exfoliated organoclay. The hybrid nanocomposites had good thermal performance, high tensile properties and high fracture toughness. Synergistic toughening effect of polyethersulphone and organoclay on epoxy resin was observed. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:767–774, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers